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Guides

Sports Card, Memorabilia, and Trading Card Guides, How To Tutorials, Tips, and Other Resources for Collectors.

10 Steps to a Successful Sports Card Case Break

10 Steps to a Successful Sports Card Case Break

By brentandbecca

Learn to bust cases like a pro and have fun doing it with our comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide. Includes insider tips and practical suggestions to ensure your next case break goes as smoothly as possible.

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15 Amazing LeRoy Neiman Sports Paintings

15 Amazing LeRoy Neiman Sports Paintings

By Ryan Cracknell

With the passing of LeRoy Neiman, the sports world has lost one of its greats. He didn’t hold any titles or win any championships but his work is just as iconic as a Michael Jordan dunk or Babe Ruth’s home run trot. We honor LeRoy Neiman’s legacy with a gallery of 15 iconic sports paintings.

16 Sports Food Endorsements for True Collectors

16 Sports Food Endorsements for True Collectors

By Ryan Cracknell

Remember the Ken Griffey Jr. chocolate bar? How about Pro Stars cereal commercials starring Wayne Gretzky and his golden locks? We look at 16 athlete-endorsed foods and snacks.

2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide

2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide

By Trey Treutel

Check out the full details for the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention, including ticket info, autograph signers and exclusive cards. The event runs from July 26 to July 30 just outside of Chicago.

2018 Donruss Baseball Variations Guide

2018 Donruss Baseball Variations Guide

By Trey Treutel

The 2018 Donruss Baseball variations go big with a huge increase in the options. Be ready to identify them all with our complete guide.

2018 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide

2018 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide

By Trey Treutel

The 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention is a massive event within the hobby! Get ready with a complete NSCC guide, including details on tickets, autograph signers, events and much more.

2018 Topps Home Run Challenge Baseball Cards

2018 Topps Home Run Challenge Baseball Cards

By Trey Treutel

Call your shot with 2018 Topps Home Run Challenge! Found in select products, the special code cards allow collectors to predict MLB home runs for a chance at prizes.

2018 Topps WWE Variations Guide

2018 Topps WWE Variations Guide

By Trey Treutel

Be prepared to identify the 2018 Topps WWE Variations with our complete guide! The side-by-side gallery makes it very clear which wrestling cards are the SSP options.

2019 Topps Home Run Challenge Baseball Cards

2019 Topps Home Run Challenge Baseball Cards

By Trey Treutel

Exclusive to the flagship MLB set, 2019 Topps Home Run Challenge Baseball allows collectors to predict when key players will hit a home run. The grand prize is a trip to see the 2020 MLB Home Run Derby.

2020 National Sports Collectors Convention NSCC Canceled

2020 National Sports Collectors Convention NSCC Canceled

By Trey Treutel

Get ready for the 41st NSCC with the 2020 National Sports Collectors Convention guide. Visit Atlantic City, NJ for the many Tristar autograph signers, exclusive collectibles and events from the manufacturers, and tons of cards.

Autograph Collecting: Protecting Against Forgeries

Autograph Collecting: Protecting Against Forgeries

By Paul Lesko

I am an avid Illini fan, and was lucky enough to live in Missouri in 2005 when Illinois played North Carolina in the NCAA Finals in St. Louis. Needles to say, I was swept up in the Illini fervor and wanted something to immortalize the time. After walking out of the Illini’s practice session, I […]

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Baseball Card Legal Terms

Baseball Card Legal Terms

By Paul Lesko

The most important skill a future lawyer takes away from law school is issue spotting. In other words, when given a hypothetical situation, how many potential legal problems can you identify? This helps lawyers protect their clients. It’s also why if you have a lawyer in the family, they probably annoy you when they visit […]

Beginner's Guide to Collecting Action Figures

Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Action Figures

By Tony Frye

Action Figure collecting has become a popular and profitable hobby but aspiring collectors should brush up on the basics before they delve into this ever-expanding marketplace. View essential details on the collecting process, including key terms and basics on sizing, storage and pricing.

Beginner's Guide to Comic-Con Collecting

Beginner’s Guide to Comic-Con Collecting

By Tony Frye

Found across most major cities, comic book conventions continue to increase in number as the worlds of fantasy, science-fiction, and comic superheroes surge in pop culture relevance. This guide will help collectors get the best deals and make the most of their time at a comic-con.

Buying Sports Cards on COMC vs eBay

Buying Sports Cards on COMC vs eBay

By Ryan Cracknell

COMC and eBay are two of the biggest websites when it comes to shopping for sports cards. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons for each.

Buying Trading Card Sleeves for Thick Cards

Buying Trading Card Sleeves for Thick Cards

By Brett Lewis

Ultra Pro’s Vintage card sleeves offer collectors the ideal level of protection for the modern memorabilia card. The sleeves were designed for oversized vintage cards, but work perfectly for 90% of today’s hits and thicker stocked cards.

Collecting Baseball Card Oddities, Part 1: Food Issues

Collecting Baseball Card Oddities, Part 1: Food Issues

By Rob Bertrand

Looking for a new collecting challenge? Check out our guide on food-issue oddball cards. We look at the history and highlights from several companies, such as Kellogg’s, Post, Hostess and Burger King.

Complete Beginners Guide to Collecting Bobbleheads

Complete Beginners Guide to Collecting Bobbleheads

By Trey Treutel

Bobbleheads are a common and popular item in the collecting world and collecting them can be a fun way to start a new hobby. View our complete guide for tips to help start and build your bobblehead collection.

Comprehensive Guide to Card Grading

Comprehensive Guide to Card Grading

By Rob Bertrand

Card grading can add value and peace of mind to your collection. Use our practical guide to get the most out of your submissions and pick the best company to grade your cards.

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Comprehensive Guide to the Bowman AFLAC All-American Game Autographs

Comprehensive Guide to the Bowman AFLAC All-American Game Autographs

By Trey Treutel

Bowman AFLAC All-American Game Autographs are a hobby favorite for prospect collectors. Although the official sponsor has changed, take a look at how the cards have evolved over the years with this detailed guide, including full gallery and checklists.

Comprehensive Guide to Upper Deck Legends Autographs

Comprehensive Guide to Upper Deck Legends Autographs

By Trey Treutel

1997 Upper Deck Legends Football Autographs are some of the most beloved sets in the collecting world. We take a look at the original run, reboots, updates, and the forays into basketball and hockey. This complete guide includes full checklists, images, shopping guide and more.

eBay Bucks - A Collector's Guide

eBay Bucks – A Collector’s Guide

By Rob Bertrand

Want to earn money for buying the cards and collectibles? The eBay Bucks program rewards you for the things you’re already buying. Find out how to sign up and start saving with our practical eBay Bucks guide.

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Estate Planning and Your Collection

Estate Planning and Your Collection

By Rob Bertrand

When we die, our collections stay behind. Here are some simple, practical tips to help you plan in advance and make sure your collection ends up in the right hands. It will also make it easier on the loved ones you leave behind.

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Fantastic Autographics! Complete Guide to One of the Best Inserts Ever

Fantastic Autographics! Complete Guide to One of the Best Inserts Ever

By Trey Treutel

Autographics were one of the biggest inserts in the late-1990s and they made the biggest impression with basketball collectors. View a complete guide to Autographics inserts, including the complete history, a visual guide, checklists for each set, analysis, shopping guide and more.

Group Breaks 101 - After the Break

Group Breaks 101 – After the Break

By Cardboard Connection

With all of the packs opened, find out what to do next to make sure your group break runs smoothly. Includes practical advice on details like sorting, supplies and shipping.

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How to Best Package Your Sports Card Singles

How to Best Package Your Sports Card Singles

By Brett Lewis

Whether it be a top loader, magnet case, snap case or hinged box, painter’s tape offers the perfect amount of protection when it comes to sending sports cards through the mail, more importantly, it’s easy to remove and doesn’t leave behind residue.

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How to Flip Sports Cards on COMC and Make Money

How to Flip Sports Cards on COMC and Make Money

By Ryan Cracknell

COMC isn’t just a place to sell the cards cluttering your closets and buy things to fill collection holes. It’s also an easy place to make extra money flipping cards through the site.

How to Get High Quality Scans of your Sports Cards

How to Get High Quality Scans of your Sports Cards

By Brett Lewis

How to get a picture perfect scan of your sports cards when selling on websites like eBay and Sports Buy. “Swiffer” makes dust free scanning possible, in the process making your card more appealing to potential buyers.

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How to Make Amazing Custom McFarlane Figures

How to Make Amazing Custom McFarlane Figures

By Rob Bertrand

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make custom McFarlane figures of your favorite athletes? Let our practical guide help you from start to finish. Includes easy-to-follow instructions and a detailed supply list with all the things you need to make a professional-looking custom.

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How To Move and Set Up Your Man Cave

How To Move and Set Up Your Man Cave

By Rob Bertrand

As a collector, one of the most daunting undertakings you can face is relocating your precious accumulation of cardboard and memorabilia treasures to a new address. While some of what is detailed below might seem rudimentary, it’s often the simple and obvious details that make the difference between a successful move and a painful headache. […]

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How to Protect and Display Your Autographed Cards

How to Protect and Display Your Autographed Cards

By Trey Treutel

Autographed cards are the clear favorite option for many collectors, but protecting those cards is an important and overlooked aspect of collecting. View our complete guide help you decide the best way to protect your autographed cards.

How to Set Up a Sports Card Trading Blog

How to Set Up a Sports Card Trading Blog

By Ryan Cracknell

Got a ton of extra sports cards cluttering up your house? Want to get trading but don’t have anyone nearby? Why not set up your own trading blog? Here are some practical tips on how you can set up, organize and promote a free trading site.

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Learn How to Play Topps ATTAX

Learn How to Play Topps ATTAX

By Rob Bertrand

Learn how you can play with your cards with our in-depth guide to Topps ATTAX. Includes rules on how to play, customizations, video tutorial and downloadable materials for several sports.

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Sports Card Box Breaking Dictionary

Sports Card Box Breaking Dictionary

By Brett Lewis

From blaster boxes to rack packs, we explain some of the terminology used in the world of trading cards. In order to assist in the explanation, we enlisted the services of Cardboard Connection’s favorite rip-aholic Cornelius, who recently ripped his seventh case of 2010 Topps Unrivaled Football.

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Sports Jerseys Holiday Buying Guide

Sports Jerseys Holiday Buying Guide

By Ryan Cracknell

Sports jerseys make an excellent gift for any occasion. Find out about the differences between authentic, replica and vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey jerseys. Includes buying guide and more.

Statistical History of Topps Baseball Card Backs

Statistical History of Topps Baseball Card Backs

By Randy Gaa

I think Toby Harrah said it best when he was quoted as saying, “Statistics are like a girl in a fine bikini. It shows a lot, but it doesn’t show everything.” It’s true that statistics don’t show you everything about a player, but they do tell you just about everything you would ever need to […]

The 90's: Underprinted Sports Cards in a Decade of Excess

The 90’s: Underprinted Sports Cards in a Decade of Excess

By Brett Lewis

One of the biggest hobby stories of 2009 was the comeback of the 90’s collector. Coming back into collecting for this group (mid 20’s-early 30’s) meant coming to grips with the reality that your collection is probably worth nothing. The reason for this is simple, they printed too many cards! I was sorting through a box […]

The Cardboard Connection Guide to Sports Collector Road Trips

The Cardboard Connection Guide to Sports Collector Road Trips

By Rob Bertrand

Whether you’re hitting the road for pleasure or business, there are plenty places for sports collectors to visit and dig deeper into their favorite sports. Get a detailed look at some of the key North American attractions and where they’re found.

They Used What? The Weirdest Memorabilia Cards of All-Time

They Used What? The Weirdest Memorabilia Cards of All-Time

By Ryan Cracknell

From Santa suits to dirt to cornstalks and even teddy bears, the memorabilia card landscape is filled with strange pieces. Take a look at some of the weirdest things you can add to your card collection.

Tip of the Hat: Baseball's Top 10 New Era Caps

Tip of the Hat: Baseball’s Top 10 New Era Caps

By Ryan Cracknell

Which baseball teams have the most popular New Era caps? We count down the ten best-selling baseball caps based on New Era sales. Expect to find a surprise or two along the way.

Top 10 Superfractor Sales of 2014-15

Top 10 Superfractor Sales of 2014-15

By Rob Bertrand

The Superfractor is one of the most coveted cards in the hobby. Here’s a list of the top 10 Superfractor sales of 2014 and the start of 2015 as recorded on eBay.

Top 50 eTopps Cards of All-Time

Top 50 eTopps Cards of All-Time

By Trey Treutel

eTopps might not be making any new cards. The program as a whole is all but dead. But that doesn’t mean that all the cards are worthless. Here are the 50 most valuable eTopps cards that have survived the program’s implosion.

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Top Christmas Cards for Sports Card Collectors

Top Christmas Cards for Sports Card Collectors

By Ryan Cracknell

Over the years, there have been a surprising number of sports cards with a Christmas theme. From promos to inserts to memorabilia cards, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list for this guide.

Top-Selling Sports Jerseys of 2013

Top-Selling Sports Jerseys of 2013

By Rob Bertrand

Find out what the top-selling jerseys were in baseball, basketball, football and hockey in 2013. Many are obvious, but some might surprise you.

Why Your Sports Cards from the Early 90s Are Worthless

Why Your Sports Cards from the Early 90s Are Worthless

By Ryan Cracknell

If you collected sports cards in the late-1980s and early-1990s and are looking to cash in, you’re bound to be disappointed. Plagued by massive print runs and speculation, most are not worth a ham sandwich, let alone your child’s college education.

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