[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

For modern cards (Post War), a rookie card is generally considered to be the player's first regular card (no League Leaders or team cards) from the regular issue of one of the major producers (Bowman, Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck, etc). Modern arallel and inserts are not considered to be rookies. Introduced in the 1970s, but taking off in the 1980s, the major manufacturers issued small 'rookie and traded' and similar 'special' sets issued after the regular sets. For rookie card definition purposes, these rookie/traded cards are considered on the order of parallels and inserts.

However, if a board member were to offer an 'XRC' card on eBay and call it a 'rookie card,' it's likely no one would object.

There will always be reasonable debates as to whether or not a regional or XRC or this or that shiny insert is a rookie card. The time an eBay seller will get legitimately get heaped on is when he labels a rookie card that clear is not (1989 Topps Mark McGwire).

If an eBay seller wants to call a 1951 regional issue Willie Mays' rookie card, that is fine by me. If the potential bidder in this auction doesn't consider it to be May's rookie card, as it's not a Topps or Bowman, that's fine by me too.