A Trusted Partner for Basketball Card Consignment

Dating back to the early 20th century, basketball cards have evolved alongside the game itself, reflecting the changing landscape of basketball and its iconic figures. From mid 20th-century icons like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to more modern superstars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, our bidding audience loves hardwood heroes. If you have something that may qualify for auction, give us a call at 301-608-0355 or complete the form here. We’re happy to assist with grading and authentication if needed. Our experts and standing by, ready to help you maximize the value of your sports collectibles.

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The Origin Story – 1920s and 1930s

The earliest basketball cards emerged during the 1920s and 1930s, but unlike baseball cards of this era, there are few that have stood the test of time to be among the most popular for today’s collectors. Overall the sport lacked popularity and star power. The top set of the 1930s was the 1933 Goudey Sport Kings set, which featured stars like Nat Holman and Joe Lopchick alongside athletes from other sports.

Post-War Boost – 1940s and 1950s

Following World War II, as Americans’ focus returned to domestic entertainment, the popularity of basketball and its cards grew. The 1948 Bowman set marked a milestone entry into the mainstream, being the first national release. It consisted of 72 cards, led by superstar George Mikan. Mikan’s card from this set in a high grade can easily achieve a six-figure payout at auction, and near complete sets can also be worthy of bidders’ attention.

The next impactful set of the post-war era didn’t come for another 10 years, but it featured a duo of star rookie cards that would live on forever. Bob Cousy and Bill Russell made their cardboard debuts in the 1957-58 Topps set, foreshadowing an onset of star power that would cement the sport into American culture.

The Legend Grows – 1960s and 1970s

Basketball cards started with a bang in the 1960s. As formidable as the 1957-1958 Topps set was, 1961-1962 Fleer set a new standard with debuts of Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. It contained mostly player portraits, but also included action shot variations for key players. Of 66 cards, 42 featured Hall of Famers, and the set remains not only one of the most popular basketball card sets, but one of the most popular vintage sets in any sport.

The search for the next highly collectible basketball card set takes us to the end of the 1960s. The 1969 Topps rolled style and star power together with iconic graphics and “tall-boy” dimensions, featuring rookie cards for Lew Alcindor, Elvin Hayes, John Havlicek, Walt Frazier, as well as highly collectible cards for Chamberlain, Robertson, and West.

Topps ruled the basketball card industry in the 1970s, but the decade failed to produce an “all-timer” set. However, a spattering of hall of fame debuts, like Pete Maravich, Julius Erving and Bill Walton, and on-brand 1970s card designs make this an intriguing decade for the avid collector. We’ll often see “shoebox” collections from this era appearing in our auctions, which simply refers to a large amount of raw (ungraded) cards. Bidders often seek these out to round out complete sets.

Despite not being rookie cards, any cards produced throughout the decade featuring legends like Alcindor, Chamberlain, West and others can be considered eligible for auction.

Magic, Bird, & MJ – 1980s

The first card set of the 1980s brought us one of the hobby’s most celebrated rookie cards. The fortuitous rookie pairing of collegiate rivals Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird, on a card that also included superstar Julius Erving is the crown jewel of early 1980s basketball cards.

Like Mickey Mantle in baseball, there is one name that stands atop the basketball collectible mountaintop. Search Michael Jordan in our auction archives and uncover a massive collection of cards, autographs, game-used uniform components, tickets stubs, and more. Most of MJ’s 1980s cards are auction-worthy in good condition. The most collectible, and what many to consider the Holy Grail of basketball cards is the 1986-1987 Fleer, with high-grade examples routinely going for six-figures at auction.

Aside from Jordan, the 1986-1987 Fleer set had an unprecedented crop of rookie superstars who would come to define the sport’s next decade. Secondary to Jordan, Charles Barkley, Akeem Olajuwan, Karl Malone & Dominique Wilkens led the charge, ushering in one of the most revered eras in the sport..

Riding the Wave – 1990s and Beyond

In the early 1990s, the NBA’s popularity soared. However, cards in this era were overproduced and lacked scarcity and rookie star power, leading to very little value. This changed mid-decade, when card companies began making premium cards with higher retail costs and limited print quantities. This trend has continued to this day, with some players having dozens of different rookie cards.

Card companies’ manipulation of the market continues to this day. Cards with extremely limited print runs, containing game-used materials, or autographs, are highly sought after by collectors, pushing prices into seven-figures for highly-graded cards that may have a few as one copy printed.

Let Us Help with Consignment

For cards featuring basketball’s pioneers, Golden Age legends, or modern-day stars you can trust our experience and expertise for an exceptional consignment experience with a maximum return for your collection. Give us a call at 301-608-0355 or complete the form here to get started.