Your expertise requested

67standup

I'm starting to venture into non-sports and have checked out the Non-Sports Update site. I'm thinking of subscribing, but am mainly interested in pre-1980. Doesn't the magazine focus on more contemporary issues? Also, is the price guide printed in every issue?

Lastly, in regard to the Sports Americana Price Guide to the Non-Sports Cards, what's the difference between Number 1,2,3 and 4? If Number 1 covers 1930-1960 and Number 4 covers 1961-1992 (that's what I was told), what periods do Numbers 2 and 3 cover? How much will Number 1 cost me, if I can find it?

Responses are appreciated.

MorrellMan

67 - Interestingly enough, the two price guides I have are both #2!!!



The one on the right is the latest for vintage and it's over 10 years old. The other one is 20 years old.

As far as magazines go, I haven't found a monthly that pays much attention to vintage. It's mostly the new glossy sets that get the attention. NSU has the price guide every month; they do include vintage, but I don't see much point in getting a new one every month. I just bought a recent issue in their back-issue website and I'll use that for at least a year.

Good luck and welcome to the mania. What issues are you focusing on?

Edited to add: BTW, you should be able to find all these books on ebay. The cover price is around 15 bucks.

kingraider75

I subscribe to NSU. I don't like having out of date price guides, however I do collect both new and vintage, so it has plenty of use for me. Ebay is probably the best price guide out there, but most people are aware of NSU pricing and that has to influence their bids. The hardest part about vintage buying on ebay is that a lot of sellers aren't proper graders. I don't know if they are lying or aren't aware of the different grades used in the sports card world.

67standup

Thanks guys. I haven't set a goal, but have jumped on the trend and purchased some Horrors of War. I'm looking for a near set where condition is not important and prefer non-graded cards.

Those Sport Americana price guides are a bit confusing, but I just found one that covers 1930-1960, but not sure what number it is. I paid $35, probably too much. However, I searched for quite awhile and couldn't find one. The non-sports dealer in Scottsdale wanted $50.

kingraider75

WOW you have a non-sports card shop in your area? Are they exclusive to non-sports? Or do they do comics or sports also?

AwfulBits

There used to be a shop in/near Allentown, PA or maybe it was Whitehall that was called "Mr. Non-sports" I think it closed 5+ years ago last time I drove by.

"The Wrapper" is also a good source.

-Mike

kingraider75

the wrapper is pretty good. I use to buy from richrick on Ebay, but he seems to put some cards with guy stains in his sets. Plus he also sent me a set 3 cards short before. As we all know it's almost impossible to get commons for most non-sport releases. I use marchantcards a lot now. There sale prices are low, and I can round out my collection with some of the lower end stuff.

ROCKDJRW

<< <i>I use to buy from richrick on Ebay, but he seems to put some cards with guy stains in his sets. . >>


I sure hope that is a typo. If not he is on my DO NOT BID list!

kingraider75

no richrick puts some gum stains card in his sets. I think he buys topps buyback boxes and cracks them. The cards are never "flat" so I assume they have been affected by the gum in the packs.