In 2023, the sports card collecting community witnessed a remarkable trend: a resurgence of interest in vintage cards from the 1950s to the 1980s. Leading authentication and grading companies like PSA, ISA, BGS, and SGC observed a significant surge in submissions of cards from these iconic eras. This uptick showcased a growing fascination among collectors for the rich history and significance of sports memorabilia.
One standout card leading this vintage revival was the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card. Considered a hallmark of baseball card collecting, nearly 14,000 newly graded copies of this card were submitted in 2023 alone. With a total of almost 161,000 graded copies now in existence, the Griffey card solidifies its place as a cornerstone of sports card collecting.
Within the realm of baseball collecting, the 1980s era was particularly notable. The 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card saw over 7,800 new graded copies in 2023, bringing its total to nearly 51,000. In the world of basketball collecting, the legendary Michael Jordan dominated. All five of the most graded basketball cards from the 1980s were dedicated to Jordan, with his 1989 Hoops card leading the pack with 5,130 new grades.
The 1950s and 60s baseball card scene featured four of Mickey Mantle’s cards in the top ten. Among them, his 1966 Topps card received an impressive 2,845 grades. In football, the most graded cards from this era represented Jim Brown, with his 1958 Topps rookie card and 1959 Topps card leading the submissions. The 1970s showcased Walter Payton’s 1976 rookie card in football and George Brett’s 1975 rookie card in baseball, each joining the ranks of the most graded cards.
Interestingly, the 1950s basketball cards, although relatively few in number, notably saw a significant number of grades for Bill Russell’s rookie card and his Celtics teammate, Bob Cousy. Even hockey, not to be left out, had Wayne Gretzky’s 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card as the most graded, surpassing the Topps version.
The grading of vintage cards extended beyond the most popular names, as other notable cards from the 1950s to the 1980s experienced a high number of grades. These included the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman rookie card and the 1968 Topps Johnny Bench rookie card in baseball. In basketball, prominent vintage cards included the 1972-73 Topps Julius Erving rookie and the 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie. Hockey also saw a few vintage cards graded over 1,000 times, reaffirming the growing interest in this sport’s memorabilia.
The rekindled interest in vintage sports cards represents more than just a passing trend; it signifies the nostalgia and historical significance these cards hold. They symbolize a profound connection to the past, to the heroes and legends who have shaped the world of sports. For collectors, these cards are not merely pieces of cardboard but cherished keepsakes, tangible links to the athletes and extraordinary moments that have left an indelible mark on the sporting world.
The increasing number of vintage cards being authenticated and graded reflects a growing awareness of their value, both monetarily and sentimentally. As more collectors seek to preserve and authenticate these treasures, the sports card collecting hobby continues to evolve, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Looking back, it becomes evident that the year 2023 was a significant chapter in the story of sports card collecting. It was a year that saw vintage cards recapture attention and appreciation, where the pastimes of previous generations were celebrated and cherished once more. This resurgence serves as a reminder that sports cards transcend mere collectibles; they serve as a way for us to connect with the history of sports, to honor the greats of the game, and to ensure their legacy lives on for generations to come.
