How to Start a Sports Card Collection

Sports fans who want to find a new avenue for their interests should learn how to start a sports card collection. This hobby is common among kids and teenagers who take an active interest in sports early in their life. People of all ages can start a sports card collection in only a few steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet capability
• Space to store collectibles and sports cards
• Plastic card sleeves
• Binders

Develop a Collection of Sports Cards

1. Appreciate the various reasons why people collect sports cards before making your first purchase. Nick Tylwalk's 'Top Five Reasons to Collect Sports Cards' discusses a spectrum of motivations, from love of a particular sport to a long term financial investment (see Resources below). People who identify their prime motivations can build collections that fit their needs.
2. Purchase single packs of cards for your favorite sport. Single packs are inexpensive and spark an interest in new collectors due to their graphics or comprehensive statistics. Single packs are sold at hobby stores, sports card dealers and major retailers nationwide.
3. Invest money in box sets of sports cards. Boxed sets feature dozens of single packs unopened to maintain their aesthetic quality. Purchasing a large box of sports cards from your favorite company helps fill in gaps in your collection.
4. Search for remaining base cards and inserts at your local sports card dealer. Base cards are regularly numbered cards that form a complete set, while inserts are special cards that are designed for collectors. Prepare to spend a significant amount of money on these final pieces of your collection.
5. Look for old sports cards and collectibles from your past. Your family or friends may have a box of old cards along with personal items from childhood. The age of a sports card is one of the main factors in its monetary value and childhood impulse purchases become part of your collection.
6. Read through card pricing guides to get a head start on sports card collecting. These guides feature samples of cards provided by a variety of companies from throughout the years.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine your short and long term goals in collecting sports cards. Collectors who want a simple hobby to parallel their favorite sports can purchase cards without worrying about future value. People who consider sports cards an investment need to be more selective in their purchases.