Trading Cards: Collectible Nostalgia

Often several boys would play to win cards at recess.  One card would be stood against a wall, and we would take turns throwing cards at it.  The standing card was called the “captain.”  If it was knocked down, the person throwing the card that caused this picked up and now owned all the cards. 

The problem this caused is cards being thrown at a wall soon became damaged on the corners.  So, we kept our best cards at home and played with cards less desirable.  But if we won a card we wanted we had no obligation of playing it again, it could disappear into a pocked.

While our source of cards sold football and baseball cards, occasionally airplane cards showed up.  These were probably from the war years, and handed down from older siblings or parents. 

In my neighborhood we used our cards, and handled them regularly.  Few had a chance of survival in pristine condition.  If only we had known these would become collectible.

Today, there is an interest in collecting trading cards.  The variety is greater than in the past, and large packs are available. 

This renewed interest may have something to do with recapturing one’s youth. 

Condition is important.  To preserve the condition trading cards are encapsulated in holders called slabs.  Several grading companies like PSA and Becket slab trading cards.  The grading companies provide a grade, which should be better preserved in the slab. 

Keeping the slabs from being scratched allows better viewing of the cards.  However, there is no one size slab, so if a box is used that is designed for PSA graded cards Becket slabs will not fit properly.  The same is true for protective sleeves, they are grading service specific.

After looking at trading cards online it is obvious there are different trading cards from different countries.  Some countries prefer such subjects as comics, planes, or automobiles.  Not every country, nor every period of time, emphasizes sports.

Some trading cards apparently came with products.  I found Kellogg cards and even tea company cards listed. 

Some cards are foreign editions, such as a French edition, indicating there is another, probably American, version. 

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