A LOOK AT BOOKS — “Sports Card Collecting & Investing (for dummies)”

— by Geoff Wilson, Ben Burrows &
Tyler Nethercott (2024)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

Dummy or not, if you’ve got the time to go to shows, shop online or visit a card shop, you should also make time to check out “Sports Card Collecting & Investing (for dummies).”

I can’t stress this enough: This is a very good, thorough book that will add to your knowledge base. In other words, you don’t have to be a dummy to get a lot out of it. Plus, it may rekindle your interest in certain cards and sets or introduce new ideas for your collection.

In the opening pages, the authors state: “The point of this book is to help you become a better collector. … Designed for collectors of all kinds, this book takes complicated concepts and confusing terminology and delivers them in a way that’s easy understand and easy to implement.”

Whether a newcomer or hobby veteran, collectors can skip around the 19 chapters depending on what they need. Personally, I would recommend reading the entire book (or at least revisit the chapters that may have been passed over the first time around).

The book covers a lot of territory including:

The psychology of collecting; The evolution of sports cards from the 19th century to today; Understanding the different types of sports cards – base cards, parallels, inserts, etc.; The differences between baseball and other sports cards; Card manufacturers and products; Card condition; Building a collection; Navigating card shows; Hobby resources; The dark side of the hobby; Investing and turning a profit; Selling cards; and the “10 iconic cards every collector show know.”

When looking at the hobby, the authors divide all sports cards (baseball, football, basketball, hockey and others) into three basic categories:

• “VINTAGE” (before 1980)

• “MODERN” (1981-2012)

• “ULTRA MODERN” (2012-Now)

If you’re mostly a vintage collector, it’s still good – and interesting – to learn about modern and ultra modern cards. And the reverse is also true: If you tend to focus on the most recent cards, knowing some of the history prior to the last decade or so can be helpful in understanding today’s market and trends.

The book underscores how important it is to know how to sell your cards. Even if you’re not in the hobby as an investor, you always want to get the most for your money – because like it or not, someday either you or your heirs will probably sell your cards. And sometimes your hobby interests change, and you want to sell off some items as you head in a different direction.

Additionally, in describing the most recent years of the hobby, the authors offer some criticism and warnings. This can be invaluable as the hobby is always changing and many collectors/investors can easily be operating on assumptions that are false or no longer apply.  

What I like about “Sports Card Collecting & Investing (for dummies)” is that although a lot of ground is covered, it is simultaneously concise and thorough. In just over 300 pages, this book moves lickety-split. Plus, it includes nearly 90 photos, with two dozen in color.

Reading a book like “dummies,” can sometimes reignite and add excitement to a person’s hobby experience. As mentioned earlier, it may spur new ideas and thoughts about collecting goals and challenges … maybe offering insights into things you hadn’t considered. It might even jumpstart new enthusiasm in an area of interest that had become somewhat ho-hum.

Even if you only absorb one-third of the information, you’ll be a dummy no more. I’ve been collecting for many years and found “Sports Card Collecting & Investing (for dummies)” to be a worthwhile read. For me, some of it was a refresher course. Yet, it also shed new light on the sports card collecting hobby as it’s quickly changed into what it is today … and continues to evolve.

Whether you’re a rookie or veteran collector, investor or future investor, this book can help smooth any rough spots in your personal hobby journey.

Don’t be a dummy. Put this on your hobby reading list.

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