#B & B SPORTS CARDS PATCH#
#B & B SPORTS CARDS PROFESSIONAL#

A Honus Wagner? A Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie? A 1951 Bowman Willie Mays? Probstein's pride and joy, then, must be Smithsonian-worthy. On inventory alone, his base of operations in the shadow of MetLife Stadium might be worth $10 million at any given time. Instead, he's focused on finding his favorite item. But nowadays, contemporary players are drawing big numbers. Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron - these cards have been showstoppers for decades. Which might be why Probstein isn't concerned. And even as a class-action lawsuit against him lingers and an FBI investigation into some of the industry's biggest players ramps up, the money pours in. Probstein, a former Wall Street headhunter who ditched Manhattan for northeastern Jersey when the dot-com bubble burst, is at the center of the gold rush. And somehow, during a year that included the sharpest GDP quarterly contraction in American history, card sales have demolished all-time records, dumbfounding investors and collectors alike. What is new and hard to fathom: Over the past half-decade, even now amid a pandemic that's decimated the American economy, contemporary sports cards have attracted gargantuan sums from high-rolling investors. 150,000 worthless baseball cards in the time of coronavirusД«ut vintage cards yielding top dollar is nothing new.In 2018, one went for almost $3 million at auction.

#B & B SPORTS CARDS PATCH#

Probstein retrieves from the vault plywood-thick cards, autographed and embedded with game-used jersey swatches - one of them, a LeBron-Jordan dual patch autograph, will soon fetch $35,000 - and two graded 1952 Topps Mickey Mantles. Atop the vault sits a Babe Ruth autographed baseball, acknowledged with a halfhearted nod as Probstein rummages below.

It's a month before the coronavirus will upend civilization, and Probstein is in a collector's paradise: One room spills over with racks of signed jerseys being prepped for shipping in another, two dozen employees, sardined at workstations, painstakingly monitor auctions in Probstein's office, columns of cards on folding tables test gravity with mini helmets littering his desk. EBay's preeminent sports memorabilia proprietor reportedly racked up $50 million in global sales last year. With wire-rim glasses and incandescent red hair, Probstein oversees his dimly lit five-room unit like Richard Branson on 'MTV Cribs.' He's earned it.

#B & B SPORTS CARDS PROFESSIONAL#

Consult literature to discern the rarity of the card, and if necessary, seek advice from a professional to determine an accurate value.IN AN ANONYMOUS office complex amid the Meadowland sprawl of northern New Jersey, Rick Probstein tears through a standing vault in search of his most prized treasure. Based on the condition, contemplate which grade the card might have, ranging from gem mint in almost perfect condition to poor. Wear, tear, and damage to the corners, edges, and surface may reduce the value. Evaluating the overall condition of the card is also important. While determining the value of a baseball card, study a pricing guide or other literature and find comparable cards, taking note of their values. How Do You Determine The Value Of A Baseball Card? Ideally, you should store autographed baseballs in a room that is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and has about 50 percent humidity. Keep the baseball in a protective case, hidden from sunlight and out of high-moisture areas. To properly care for an autographed baseball, handle it as little as possible until it is stored away or displayed. How Should You Care For And Display An Autographed Baseball? Avoid placing memorabilia in direct sunlight, as that can cause fading, and do not set collectibles near heaters or air conditioning units to prevent damage. Display the memorabilia in a safe place, protected from the elements, and consider framing valuable items in photo frames and shadow boxes. If you have a large collection, consider rotating items every so often. Avoid visual clutter and confusion by sticking with a certain sport or a single team. When you have a collection of sports memorabilia that you want to show off, pick through the items and select collectibles that tell a cohesive story. What Are Some Tips For Displaying Sports Memorabilia?

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