Top baseball card by Decade
Always an interesting subject.
Here's one person's list:
1900s: 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner 1910s: 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Babe Ruth 1920s: 1921 E121 American Caramel Babe Ruth 1930s: 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth 1940s: 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson 1950s: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle 1960s: 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan 1970s: 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt/Ron Cey/John Hilton 1980s: 1982 Topps Cal Ripken 1990s: 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter 2000s: 2001 Topps Chrome Albert Pujols or Ichiro Suzuki 2010s: 2018 Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani |
Airbrushing is the art of touching up a photo prior to the card being printed. It was generally done to remove imperfections or update or hide a players jersey/cap logo. Because of advancements in print technology and computers this is no longer needed.
All-Star card (AS) usually a subset card picturing a player who participated in the previous season’s all-star game. Topps created these in their 1958 High Number issue and has continued the practice fairly regularly to date. Such cards are usually designated in price guides with the abbreviation of AS.
Assorted A general mix of cards often containing many duplicates.
Auction items are sold to the highest bidder. Auctions used to be live or thru the mail/phone but today most auctions are online.
Auction Catalog lists the rules and descriptions and often images of the items in an auction.
Authentication verification that an item (card, autograph) is genuine. Most "game-used" material inserts have a written declaration of authenticity on the reverse. Authorized Issue card or memorabilia item that has been properly licensed. If the item is of a player, his written permission must be given in order for it to be considered authorized.