Some people consider collecting to be just a hobby, while others consider it a dedicated lifestyle. On Saturday, March 21st, participants of all ages gathered their bags and headed to the Crowne Plaza in Woburn to attend “The Best Flippin’ Card Show,” an event for those who collect trading cards to purchase, invest, trade, and share their love for their interests.
Collectors walked around and browsed among a variety of vendors selling products, from Pokemon to Topps Sports Cards. It seemed impossible to find something that did not meet a niche interest. There were boxes of cards with different sizes and series, as well as graded trading cards, which are in plastic or glass cases that have been judged for the quality and condition.
Every vendor has their own specialty, for example, vendor Matt from Providence specializes in vintage sports cards, his inventory consisting of memorabilia from the early 1900s.
You may be thinking, how does one find all of these rare cards? Matt explained that he started collecting when he was young, and as time went on, he decided that he wanted to be a dealer. “I would just look online, look at shows, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, anywhere I can.”
The love for hobbies and fandoms are spread among everyone attending the event and are open for anyone to enjoy. But sometimes, there is a downside, like misogyny.
Stephanie, a vendor, shared a taste of this. “A lot of people look at me and say, ‘You’re a girl. What do you know about cards?’ They’re very surprised when I’m knowledgeable with what I have here. I like the look of surprise on people’s faces when I start talking to them about different products because no one expects it from me.”
Looking across the millions of cards displayed, you might be wondering where to start, or what to collect. Matt advised that you “don’t collect just because it’s valuable, collect it because you like it.” Stephanie agreed with this, specializing in her collection of Bo Bichette baseball cards. “I think if I started to collect more players, my whole collection would get out of control,” she shared.
The Best Flippin’ Card Show holds these shows monthly, called “monthly mixers,” in the Crowne Plaza, with the next few dates being April 18th, May 16th, and June 14th, according to their website. They hold an Anti AI policy for vendors, and ensure all products are authentic. Parking is free, and the event is reachable through public transportation. Tickets can range from $5-$25 depending on the event.
You might just see shiny pieces of cardboard as a fad or worthless, when in reality cards can range from hundreds, thousands, and even millions of dollars. Why not come down every month to see if you can find something you like?
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