Just browsing a Beckett

[slinger23]

Originally Posted by mid50sbaseball

I'm kinda surprised Beckett even puts these publications out anymore. they're completely obsolete and totally out of tune with the market and have been for some time. There are still some people who insist on trading and buying/selling according to "book value" most of these people are laughed at and ignored because book value just has no bearing on market value anymore. want to know what a card is worth? check completed ebay sales or anything else that tracks actual market activity. "Price guides" are pretty well useless...

I haven't used a Beckett Almanac in years, but I do have a 4th Edition SCD Standard Catalog of Vintage Baseball Card. I use it mainly as a checklist for sets and have it in digital format (which I prefer and is not as heavy) rather than an actual book. But like others have said, eBay and VCP will give you the the most up to date pricing compared to a magazine or book especially with the volatility of the card market.

[Pilot172000]

I was a Beckett and Tough Stuff kid, who went through those mags with a fine tooth comb for years and years. They helped fuel the passion, but now that I rarely ever buy a Post-1980 card, it serves no purpose.

Market Value is great when you are talking high end cards with a dozen sales in the last couple of auctions, but try buying lower graded stuff that maybe iconic but not worthy of an REA auction.