Vintage Shops in Southern Calif.

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Posted By: J Levine

Alas...things have changed...

In O.C. there are only three full time card shops still in business...one is located in fullerton and you can skip since they have nothing older than 1990. The other is a small shop on Harbor (I think) that has a few vintage cards but is moving more towards ebay I think. The last one I know of is at the craft mall, I can not remember the name but they have been around a long time and have vintage every now and then. Bought a t206 chase there about a year ago at well below book.

In L.A. there is Max, Rob, and Matt. Max is at Valley Baseball Cards in Tarzana and has been in business forever (I bought my first cards from Max when I was eight, 25 years ago). He has a decent selection of vintage and oddball and most are priced a little high but bargains can be found and he will sometimes lower prices. He also has a ton of stuff in back.

Rob is the owner of Burbank Cards...been in business a long time and his store is a model of effeciency. The most organized store I have ever been in. His prices are high but his selection of vintage is large. He has very few pre-war cards but does have some oddball if you ask. Always been nice to me.

Matt is at Beverly Hills Baseball cards and is a great guy. He likes vintage and does try to keep a decent selection around the shop. I go about once a year and he lets me rummage through the back of the store and I usually find something of interest.

T.J. has some vintage but it is often overpriced/overgraded/overhyped like his ebay auctions. I also never liked that he would talk something up that he had in his store in his mag. He also has problems with other dealers. When asked, Max, Rob, or Matt will recommend other stores where Porkys just says "I think we are the only one" or "check back" etc.

I miss the days of Greystoke, Sportscards Plus, Southern Calif. BB Cards, Fullerton Card and Coin, Tripleplay, Balboa Card Shop, etc. Many cards to chose from and all decent dealers...

Joshua