Collecting 101

A collector who seeks out every card in a given set.

Subsets are part of the main set — they follow the same numbering

Subsets will have a slightly different design or theme.

Inserts cards refer to any non-base and non-parallel cards in a set.

These cards typically have their own themes, designs, and numbering

Superfly insert from 2024 Topps Chrome Basketball

Cards that “run parallel” to the base set with

Unique border color, texture, pattern, card material, image variation, or card tech.

Collecting all the card varieties in the set

Further refines your collecting identity

Maybe you decide you’ll become a player collector…

A collector who seeks out cards of a specific player.

Do you chase a bonafide superstar like Mike Trout?

Or longtime fan favorite like Brandon Inge?

The fun of becoming a Player Collector

You develop a deeply personal relationship with the player

From the beginning of their career and beyond

Collector who seeks out cards of a specific team

Allows for a historical study of a specific team

Discover how a team has developed through the seasons

Track the top RCs and most prominent players

Long-tenured fan favorites and team accomplishments

You could be looking at tens of thousands of cards.

Or chase one million like this collector and his passion for the Cubs

Before choosing a team, consider Chasing the Rainbow

Collect different color parallel cards of a specific player

Depending on the player

Potentially Including Autos

A complete Rainbow Collection could be a lot of cards

Some collectors chase only the paper cards

Some focus only on Chrome Rainbows

Whatever your rainbow chase of choice, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing ways to collect cards

Collecting cards of young players who have yet to reach the MLB

collecting the first cards of potential future superstars

Imaging the first-ever cards of Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, or Aaron Judge.

Focuses on two sets: Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome

Bowman Draft focuses on US-based draftees

Bowman Chrome includes the top international signees

Whether you’re collecting Bowman Draft or Bowman Chrome (or both)

Prospecting help deepen your relationship with a player as their career progresses

Collectors who only focus on cards dating from around 1979 or earlier.

Is the opposite of the modern hobby’s Chasing the Rainbow

This is a cool way to collect because it combines

Set collecting

Player Collecting

Team collecting

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Set Collecting

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Player Collecting

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Team Collecting

Is all about finding the card you’re chasing in the best condition for the best price

Perhaps the most dedicated and ambitious collector type.

Collects every card of a particular set, year, team, player, or category

Let’s say you’re a completist collecting 2024 Topps Baseball Series 1

A completist hunts down every card on the checklist

That includes every base card in 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball

Every parallel

Every Auto

Every card

Common cards—overlooked by many collector types—become very valuable because a completist cannot complete the set without them!