Definition of a Rookie Card

[dfr52]

Seau has a rookie in 1990 Score base set and a card in the Supplemental set. Many consider the Supplemental a rookie but really shouldn't be as he was included in the company's base set for that year.

[br.ett]

Far from sold.

Basically the definition above becomes a marketing tool so that each manufactrer can claim to have a "Rookie Card" for a leading player. Furthermore if a "new" manufacturer comes on the NFL scene in 2008 and issues nationally and at the level of the established companies then you would have 2008 "Rookie Cards" of Brett Favre issued by ................

Not workable.

That's the definition!

[Cartophilium]

The 52 as a "rookie" I don't get. I know it's limited but it's not his rookie. I thought I was alone in my thinking till I saw a post on the PSA board where the 51 is represented as his one and only rookie.

Great info Cartophilium!

Let's look at the "Rookie Card" question from another perspective. Baseball cards were first issued in the late 1880's. Hockey, football and basketball were in their infancy. Card collectors collected sports cards into the early 1980's without any regard for "Rookie Cards" or even a definition of what a "Rookie Card" may be. The expression "Rookie Card" is of recent vintage in terms of the overall history of card collecting.

The way it is used, the expression "Rookie Card" is really a synonym for demand in the case of a proven performer - the Mickey Mantle example used previously or potential demand for a player who may or may not have any impact. In the case where the player has proven to have no demand, it does not matter if it is a "Rookie Card" or not. Likewise if there is solid demand then the card will sell regardless of an extra descriptive phrase.

[br.ett]

Let's look at the "Rookie Card" question from another perspective. Baseball cards were first issued in the late 1880's. Hockey, football and basketball were in their infancy. Card collectors collected sports cards into the early 1980's without any regard for "Rookie Cards" or even a definition of what a "Rookie Card" may be. The expression "Rookie Card" is of recent vintage in terms of the overall history of card collecting.

The way it is used, the expression "Rookie Card" is really a synonym for demand in the case of a proven performer - the Mickey Mantle example used previously or potential demand for a player who may or may not have any impact. In the case where the player has proven to have no demand, it does not matter if it is a "Rookie Card" or not. Likewise if there is solid demand then the card will sell regardless of an extra descriptive phrase.

No, it's a rookie card because that's the first year Topps came out with cards. Except the game cards in '51.

[Cartophilium]

No, it's a rookie card because that's the first year Topps came out with cards. Except the game cards in '51.

Overlooking the 1951 Topps Team Cards, 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars, !951 Topps Current All Stars.

[dfr52]

No, it's a rookie card because that's the first year Topps came out with cards. Except the game cards in '51.

I'm not a baseball collector but I know the "rookie" question is a whole lot more complicated especially with Bowman's pre-rookies.

In football a rookie card is a player's first appearance in an NFL licensed base issue. If a player did not have a rookie in a companies previous years set but others included them then the "First" designation is used (FTC: first topps card). I believe this occured with Willie Parker as he has 2 rookie (I believe) and Topps put the rookie logo on his cards. Beckett used the "First designation in the early days of the football magazine.

Supplemental and traded sets were considered XRC rookies but that seems to have changed-with football at least.

[br.ett]

Overlooking the 1951 Topps Team Cards, 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars, !951 Topps Current All Stars.

You don't get it do you? Wow...I was talking about a actual set. Not the subsets. sheesh.

[Cartophilium]

You don't get it do you? Wow...I was talking about a actual set. Not the subsets. sheesh.

In 1951 those were the actual Topps sets.

The measure of any definition is does it change or improve the situation or increase knowlege and understanding. You are welcome to any definition you want to accept. After all generations ago people accepted definitions that the world was flat.

Prior to the "Rookie Card" era starting in the early 1980's the Mickey Mantle card in the 1951 Bowman and the 1952 Topps BB sets had the highest value and was the "Demand" card in each set.Nothing has changed during the "Rookie Card" era when it comes to these two Mickey Mantle cards. They are still the most sought after cards in each set. Even if the "Rookie Card" definition never existed they would still be the most sought after cards in each set.

Calling either Mickey Mantle card a "Rookie Card" by the definition you posted or any other definition does absolutely nothing for the value or the demand factors assocated with the two cards.

True, the "Rookie Card" may simplify things for those who do not want to do research or appreciate history. They may see the same profit potential in every card labeled a "Rookie Card". So be it.

[Cartophilium]

I'm not a baseball collector but I know the "rookie" question is a whole lot more complicated especially with Bowman's pre-rookies.

In football a rookie card is a player's first appearance in an NFL licensed base issue. If a player did not have a rookie in a companies previous years set but others included them then the "First" designation is used (FTC: first topps card). I believe this occured with Willie Parker as he has 2 rookie (I believe) and Topps put the rookie logo on his cards. Beckett used the "First designation in the early days of the football magazine.

Supplemental and traded sets were considered XRC rookies but that seems to have changed-with football at least.

Effectively making my point that all of these "Rookie Card" definitions do not contribute clarity nor will they define demand and value down the road.

[dfr52]

Effectively making my point that all of these "Rookie Card" definitions do not contribute clarity nor will they define demand and value down the road.

The RC designation might not define price but most football collectors agree on what a RC is in football. As I previously wrote I have no clue when it comes to baseball though.