Old cards can equal $

NEW YORK

The boxes of baseball cards you so carefully collected are invaluable for the memories they evoke. But do they have any real value?

Many collectors hope their hobbies will one day bring them a fortune. And with the recent sales of Batman and Superman comic books for about $1 million each, the fantasy of a big windfall may have crossed your mind.

Here’s what anyone with a collection, or looking to start one, should know.

Sizing up value

Three big factors generally determine a card’s value: the player pictured, the card’s condition and its rarity.

Hall of Famers and marquee names are obviously more sought after, but even a player no one remembers can command thousands of dollars.

That’s because collectors aim to complete sets, or obtain all cards issued in a given year or edition. So a 1963 card of a forgotten player can still be valuable.

A card’s condition can also produce big swings in price, but more on that later.

You should also know that vintage cards — generally those from before 1970 — are in greater demand since they’re harder to come by. Cards from after that era are easier to find because companies started ramping up production, notes Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas.

Collectors in later years also realized cards could be valuable, so it’s easier to find modern cards in good condition.

That said, even relatively new cards can still have value. A 1993 Derek Jeter rookie card in near mint condition, for example, can be worth about $350.

To get a baseline for how much your cards are worth, browse the Web sites of auction houses such as Heritage Auction Galleries (www.ha.com) or Lelands (www.lelands.com) for price listings on comparable cards. Tuff Stuff’s Sports Collectors Monthly (www.tuffstuff.com) also has a portion of its price guide online.

Another common pricing reference for collectors is “The Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles.” The guide is also online at www.beckett.com, although you need to pay for access. Subscriptions start at $6 a month.

Keep in mind that price guides are usually based on cards in good condition; cards with wear and tear could be worth far less.

You could always bring your cards to a hobby store too. A knowledgeable worker should be able to give you an idea of what they’re worth for free, so long as you’re not hauling in crates of them. Of course, you’ll want to double check any casual estimates.

How to sell

If you have cards worth around $500 or more, consider selling through an auction house. This gives you access to a pool of experienced buyers willing to pay top dollar for quality cards, says Joe Clemens, price guide editor at Tuff Stuff’s Sports Collectors Monthly.

Auction houses typically take a commission of about 15 percent, although that figure can vary depending on the sale price. So for a card that sells for $500, you’d pay a commission of $75.