Types of Collectors

Baseball cards represent the most traditional and well-established segment of the trading card hobby. For decades, they have been the cornerstone of the collecting world, with many of the earliest and most iconic sports card sets centered around baseball. Such was the dominance of baseball cards that, for years, all sports cards were often collectively referred to as ‘baseball cards.’

Collectors continue to cherish the sport’s rich heritage while participating in the time-honored practice of prospecting young players. Adding a unique dynamic to the hobby is baseball’s system, which allows Major League clubs to sign international players as young as 16 years old, creating an exciting, and often volatile, element for collectors and investors.

These collectors inject a fresh and dynamic energy into the hobby, gravitating toward bold, shiny, and colorful card designs. As a globally popular sport, basketball has drawn in a wave of new enthusiasts, many of whom start their collecting journey in this market. A significant focus is placed on rising young stars, with collectors building their collections and investments around these athletes, adding excitement and potential value to their pursuits.

The notable exceptions to this trend are Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, widely regarded as three of the most collected and influential athletes in the history of sports cards.

This market is defined by a strong demand for premium rookie cards, autograph cards, and memorabilia jersey patch cards, with new products and rookies introduced annually. These factors contribute to its status as a dynamic and highly competitive segment of the trading card industry.

Some collectors have noted that the vintage football card market may be undervalued, particularly when comparing legendary stars from football to their counterparts in other sports.

While football cards are primarily traded within North America, growing interest in Europe, driven by annual NFL games held there, is beginning to broaden their international appeal.

These enthusiasts have a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage and demonstrate unwavering loyalty to their favourite teams, players, and brands. Among the most cherished is the Upper Deck Series 1 & 2 flagship brand, which holds a special place in the hobby. Each season, the market’s performance is heavily influenced by the strength and appeal of the rookie class, adding excitement and anticipation for collectors.

When it comes to grading, hockey collectors in Canada have a long-standing history and tradition with BGS. Until recently, Beckett was the only company among the ‘Big Four’ graders to have a regular presence at the Toronto Sport Card Expo (aka The Hockey National), accepting submissions for on-site grading. Today, however, all of the major grading companies have established a strong presence at the Expo.

This market has only emerged in recent years, evolving from a long-standing tradition of sticker collecting, which dominated from the 1960s until around 2015. Many collectors who started with stickers have transitioned to trading cards, now regarded as a premium upgrade. Historically viewed as a North American trend by international collectors, soccer trading cards have gained global popularity. The market remains highly dynamic, with values often fluctuating during player transfer windows and major tournaments such as the World Cup, Euro Cup, Copa America, and Champions League.

Like in baseball, soccer collectors often engage in heavy speculation on young prospects, who have the opportunity to sign with and play for senior teams as early as 16 years old.