While they may often be initially over-looked by collectors, the fact of the matter is that entertainment trading card albums deliver added value. The value of entertainment trading cards, long referred to in the hobby as non-sport cards, have fluctuated greatly over the last several years. This is particularly true for the base sets from these entertainment branded products.
Once the sole focus of collecting, base sets of entertainment brands suffered the same loss in value as their sports card cousins during the era of over-production of the early 1990s. As entertainment trading cards evolved and mimicked the production configurations of sports cards, with wardrobe and prop relics and cast member autographs, the values of base sets fell even further.
However, unlike sports cards, the base sets of a trading card product from a movie or TV show, tells a story of the subject on which the product is based. As generations of 40-somethings begin to reflect on their lives and decide how to spend their income, many are turning back to the collecting pursuits and interests of their youth. As a result, the market for 1970s and 1980 toys, trading cards and comics books is at an all-time high. A positive consequence of this development is an increase in value of long forgotten base sets and unopened packs.
So how does this translate into entertainment trading card albums delivering added value? A renewed appreciation for current pop-culture means a renewed emphasis on the condition preservation of current collectibles. When it comes to entertainment trading cards, custom made albums and binders with superb graphics have been designed by trading card manufactures not only to enhance the aesthetic value of a collection but to insure it by protecting its condition.
We hear many collectors initially complain about the additional cost of the binder relative to its perceived value. So have manufacturers. Many have responded by producing an exclusive card distributed only with the album. Some retailers have used the albums as an incentive for multiple box purchases by providing that binder to collectors at or near cost. Thanks to some creative marketing, many collectors are expressing a new interest and importance of the custom trading card album as a key component to their collection.
The popularity of binders has expanded past current products as well. A niche industry has seen growth producing custom albums for vintage trading card sets from yesteryear. The same 40-somethings going back and buying or assembling base sets of Indian Jones and Star Wars now want to house their sets in an aesthetically pleasing manner of display like the albums designed for today’s modern entertainment trading card sets. This demand helps to ensure the continued importance of custom albums for current trading cards.
The value of the base sets from modern entertainment trading card products remains relatively low. However, there is evidence to support the fact that they are increasing by looking at completed sales on eBay. Additionally, the realized sales of these sets increases significantly when they are sold with the accompanying album. All of this bodes well for the future demand of entertainment trading card albums.
Entertainment Trading Card Albums Deliver Added Value – Image Gallery
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