Everything you need to know about trading cards

Trading cards are having a moment. Whether it was spurred by folks digging through their basements during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nostalgic longing for a bygone era, or some combination of the two, the collectibles craze is reaching a fever pitch.

• The industry is projected to be worth a whopping $98B by 2027, and there’s a whole lot more to it than its skyrocketing monetary value.

• There’s the joy of collecting, the community (more on that later), the unmatched nostalgia of a good ol’ fashioned card, the chance to learn and enjoy sports history…we could go on and on!

But, just like the rest of the sports landscape,the collectibles industry is still male-dominated. That’s why we teamed up with Toppsto highlight all the trading card industry has to offer. Leveling the playing card, if you will.

• So here’s the gist on this booming industry, and how you can be part of it. It’s time to lead the pack.

Let’s start off with some terminology. Topps has a comprehensive glossary with the full lowdown, but we’ll start with two frequently used terms — grading and rarity.

• Collectors often submit their cards to be graded by a third-party service, which assesses the card’s physical condition. They’ll assign the card a grade on a scale of 1-10 — the higher the grade, the better the condition, and the higher the value (typically).

• Another important factor in assessing a card’s value is the rarity. The 1980s and 1990s — often referred to as the “junk wax era” — saw overproduction, which saturated the market.

• You might expect vintage cards to fetch the highest prices, but modern cards — which are sometimes produced in micro batches — are also increasingly rare and valuable. Age is but a number.

Now that we have a lay of the land, let’s consider the history:

When most people think of trading cards, baseball’s the first sport that comes to mind, and for good reason. Inspired by trade cards — which date back to the late 17th century and were one of the earliest examples of advertising — sporting goods companies first started printing baseball cards in the 1860s, right around the time the sport was invented.

• Beginning in the 20th century, tobacco and chewing gum companies (like Topps!) joined in on the fun by including baseball cards with their products.

• In 1952, Topps released the first true modern baseball set, breaking the mold by including player statistics.

• Plus, those early cards are still having an impact today. Just this past August, a Mickey Mantle card from that 1952 release sold for a whopping $12.6M, the most ever paid for any sports item, card or memorabilia. Cha-ching.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and Topps is still changing the game. In 2016, they introduced Topps Now, a line of cards which utilizes on-demand printing technology to capture the biggest sports moments as they go down.

• So if you ever witness a highlight — take NY Yankee Aaron Judge’s American League record-setting home run in September for example — and think, “I wish I could capture this forever,” now you can!

• But you have to move fast. These on-demand cards are only available for 24 hours after the milestone occurs. Once the window ends, you’re out of luck.

Even better, while Topps is synonymous with baseball (perfect for reliving all the World Series action), in true GIST fashion they’re also getting in on women’s sports. You can pick up a pack featuring your favorite stars from the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the gals breaking barriers with Athletes Unlimited. Yes, please.

Finally, we have to talk about the unmatched community. Sport brings people together in ways few other things can, and the sports card industry is no different. One of our favorite organizations? “Women of the Hobby,” a podcast dedicated to telling the stories of female collectors.

• Just like when you spot someone wearing a WNBA orange hoodie or repping your favorite team, there’s nothing like bonding with a fellow collector over your shared love of the game.

Ready to start your own collection? We thought so. With MLB, NHL, MLS and even pop culture cards available, Topps has a little something for everyone. Our suggestion? Start off with something near to your heart, like a card from your favorite player. Go ahead, break into that pack.