Help with inherited card collection.

[Devojrx7]

My wife inherited a large collection of baseball cards beginning in 1953 as well as some signed baseballs. She was saving them for my son, but he has no interest in sports. She wants me to sell them and put the money into my sons college fund. I don’t know much about card collecting beyond knowing some of the more famous players from that era who’s cards are more valuable. None of these cards are graded and they very in condition from pretty good to pretty bad. What is the best way to go about selling these? I’m in no rush and don’t need the money anytime soon. Thank you for any help you can give me. Sorry in advance if I posted this in the wrong place.

[Devojrx7]

Sorry for the sideways pictures. I don’t know why they all uploaded like that. I just counted the pages in the three binders I have and it looks to be about 1300 cards in total.

[JollyElm]

Step one: Put together an inventory of all of the cards you have. Create an Excel spreadsheet or something, so you have a complete list. This is especially important for when you chat with someone who buys entire collections. Plus, regular collectors may see some things you have and might want to negotiate some sales.

Step two: Take quality pictures of everything, front and back. This is important so any potential buyers can get a good feel for what shape your cards are in.

Step three: Start posting groups of cards in the Buy/Sell/Trade section here. Either post firm prices or ask interested parties to make offers. A cr#pload of stuff gets sold easily in these parts, so it's a great outlet for you.

Good luck!!

[irv]

Originally Posted by Devojrx7

Sorry for the sideways pictures. I don’t know why they all uploaded like that. I just counted the pages in the three binders I have and it looks to be about 1300 cards in total.

I assume your pics were taken on a phone? Do an edit first on your phone by rotating them, etc, then save them in the proper configuration before uploading them.

That usually works I have found.

[Devojrx7]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Step one: Put together an inventory of all of the cards you have. Create an Excel spreadsheet or something, so you have a complete list. This is especially important for when you chat with someone who buys entire collections. Plus, regular collectors may see some things you have and might want to negotiate some sales.

Step two: Take quality pictures of everything, front and back. This is important so any potential buyers can get a good feel for what shape your cards are in.

Step three: Start posting groups of cards in the Buy/Sell/Trade section here. Either post firm prices or ask interested parties to make offers. A cr#pload of stuff gets sold easily in these parts, so it's a great outlet for you.

Good luck!!

Thank you. So sending them off for grading is not worth it/necessary?

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Devojrx7

Thank you. So sending them off for grading is not worth it/necessary?

Oh, that's an entirely different ball of wax. I assumed you meant more of a 'quicker' sale scenario when you were ready to move forward. Graded cards certainly sell for more in general (and they give potential buyers more confidence in the legitimacy of said cards), but it also costs a ton and the waiting time is flat out ridiculous these days. Since you're in no hurry, it's definitely worth the time to investigate getting some (many?) of your cards graded, and make an informed decision as to what will be better for you.

[Exhibitman]

Only thing you need to know:

Al Crisafulli
Love of the Game Auctions
https://loveofthegameauctions.com/

He's a member here and as scrupulous and diligent as they come for handling this sort of liquidation. I'd trust him with my collection if I was dead...OK, that doesn't sound quite right but you get the idea.