welcome to coffee and cards

Saturday mornings are for slowing down, sipping on a fresh cup of coffee, and diving into the world of trading cards. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, an investor, or just getting started, Coffee and Cards is here to be your go-to spot for all things collecting.

Each month, I’ll be sharing insights on baseball, football, hockey and Pokémon cards, along with buying and selling tips, collecting techniques, and hobby news. From nostalgic throwbacks to the hottest trends in the market, this blog is all about celebrating the hobby we love.

So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s talk cards. We’re kicking things off with my own journey as a collector.

trading cards & me

Collecting has always meant more to me than just cardboard. It offers an escape from the daily grind and connects me with a community of like-minded people. And let’s be honest - the hunt is half the fun.

How It All started

Like a lot of people, I started collecting as a kid with Pokémon cards - I had a ton of the 1999 Base Set, including the iconic holo Charizard. I eventually lost track of those cards (and I still cringe thinking about it).

Sports cards were part of the picture too. A baseball teammate and I would hit up our local card shop, buy boxes of junk-era cards, and sort them together, splitting everything between us.

Then, in college, something clicked. My grandmother gave me a 1948 Kellogg’s Pep Dizzy Trout, and that single card reignited the collecting spark. From there, it’s been a ride.

the first cards that hooked me

1948 Kellogg’s Pep Dizzy Trout - The one that brought me back.
1955 Bowman Al Kaline PSA 2MK - My first vintage purchase and a forever card in my collection.
1959 Topps Baseball Thrills Al Kaline - My first vintage autograph, later slabbed by SGC.
2001 Bowman Heritage Steve Sparks (Special Olympics Nevada 1/1) - A tribute to a player who inspired me to thrown a knuckleball back in my playing days.

my collection today

These days, I focus mainly on vintage, especially Detroit teams like the Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions. I’m actively building the Al Kaline Master Set on the PSA Set Registry, currently 135-264 cards in with a set rating of 2.00 (ranked 9th overall).

I also work on sets like:

1954 Topps Baseball
Warren Spahn Basic Set
1968 Topps Game
1963 Topps Peel-Offs

And I’ve completed multiple Tigers team sets:

1951 Bowman
1955 Bowman
1959 Topps
1968 Topps

Modern cards still have a place, especially if I enjoy watching the player. I’ve even rainbow-chased the 2021 Topps Series 1 Tarik Skubal Rookie, and just need the 1/1 Platinum and printing plates to complete it.

why I collect

Mostly for fun and nostalgia. I’m a history minor, so the stories behind the players and the sets really pull me in.

As for investing - I’ll flip cards if I find a deal, but it’s always with the goal of building my personal collection. I’m not here to strike rich; I’m here to enjoy the hobby and grow my PC.

big moments & lessons learned

Most Memorable Win:

I actually won my 1954 Topps Al Kaline PSA 4 rookie card in a contest on Facebook - my first big moment in the hobby.

Biggest Purchase:

1954 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 1 rookie card - a cornerstone of my 1954 Topps HOF Set.

Grail Cards:

T206 Ty Cobb Red Portrait - Always out of reach…but always on my radar.
1959 Home Run Derby Al Kaline (PSA Slab) - Low pop (33 total), nearly impossible to track down.

Setbacks? Yep.

I lost my original Pokémon collection, including a holo Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise. Even in the mid-grade, those cards would’ve helped fund part of my PC today.

I’ve also held a card too long. My 2016 Bowman Chrome Alex Bregman Green Auto /99 (BGS 9.5/10) could’ve sold for $2,500…but I hesitated, and ended up selling for $900.

storage & Buying Habits

Vintage:

Mostly PSA graded and part of my set registries. I buy both graded and raw, sending some for grading myself. A few SGC slabs are pending crossovers to PSA.

Modern:

4-row boxes for relics/autos
One-touch Pro-Mold cases (with penny sleeves) for high-end singles
Top-loader binder for cheaper cards
Zion cases for slabbed inserts, short-prints, and numbered cards

Where I Buy:

75% eBay (for buyer protection)
20% social media (mostly Facebook groups)
5% card shows (wish I could go more!)

Where I Sell:

Almost entirely on social media - fire sales and contests/razzes. Allows me to avoid the seller fees of eBay.

what keeps me going

It’s the hunt for vintage, the challenge of building PSA sets, and the community.

I love sharing my collection and seeing others do the same on Instagram and Facebook. There’s always a card I’ve never seen before, a story I haven’t heard, or a new piece of knowledge to pick up.

Want to connect? Follow me on Instagram at @DSACardVault.

A final word

Collecting, for me, has always been about more than just cardboard. It’s about the stories behind the players, the memories tied to a certain set, and the thrill of discovering something new - or something old you’d forgotten. It’s a bridge between generations, a way to connect with others, and a reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things.

Thanks for joining me for the first Coffee and Cards. In the next edition, we’ll dive into The Most Iconic Baseball Cards of All Time - from vintage legends to modern grails. Don’t miss it!