Why Vintage Sports Cards will thrive in the Artificial Intelligence Age

There are several compelling reasons why vintage sports cards will continue to thrive in popularity, even in an age of rapidly evolving technology. I won’t necessarily define what VINTAGE currently is or what it will be 5 to 10 years from now. That is for individual collectors to define. Most hobbyists will have a stronger sense of what cards will stand out MORE in the Artificial Intelligence age after they read this article.

Firstly, the historical significance and cultural impact of vintage sports cards cannot be overstated. These cards represent an integral part of sports history, allowing fans to connect with legendary players such as Muhammad Ali, Wilt Chamberlain, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, and Pele.

Vintage sports cards that were released prior to modern technology cannot be replaced by what is coming in the future!

What is coming in the near term via Artificial Intelligence is going to be beyond what anyone can even imagine. It will be mind blowing to say the least! Yet vintage cards & desired pieces of historical memorabilia are a TANGIBLE record of the past. What the future holds for cards released “after (and during) modern tech & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE” I don’t think can be predicted nearly as well. Nor can we accurately predict the interest level of the NEW generation of kids who are raised with both simultaneously released AI artwork and technology AND physical sports cards. My hope — is that they too would fall in love with these amazing pieces of history and not get sucked in to only living a digital existence.

As the world continues to change rapidly due to modern technology there will be MANY who yearn for the days of old. They’ll reach for times past, and vintage collectibles will offer them the nostalgia and time machine they need! They won’t want something created by modern technology to access the past — they’ll want something that was present during those days past they are reaching for!

Secondly, the sense of nostalgia evoked by vintage sports cards (and memorabilia) is a powerful draw for fans and collectors alike. Holding a piece of sports history in hand is a way to relive cherished memories and moments. Again, where there was no modern technology these vintage artifacts were and ARE the only genuine connection to the past. Vintage cards featuring icons such as Muhammad Ali and Wilt Chamberlain invite fans to revisit legendary moments and brilliant performances from a bygone era. Yet they don’t mimic that era with modern technology — they were PRESENT in that era. Ambassadors of the past if you will.

Thirdly, the handmade intricate artwork and attention to detail that characterize many vintage sports cards is yet another reason why they will continue to be cherished by collectors. Beautifully illustrated depictions of iconic moments and athletic feats provide a unique window into the sports world of yesteryear. In contrast, many modern cards feature relatively unknown and unproven players like Bobby Witt Jr (my hometown rising star). His future may be bright, but it is still unproven.

What can never be duplicated by modern technology is a word called “provenance.”

prov·e·nance: the place of origin or earliest known history of something.

The provenance needed for a 1933 Babe Ruth card to survive almost a century is nothing short of remarkable. From the moment it was created, this card has passed through countless hands, traveled through multiple countries, and endured numerous natural disasters, wars & pandemics, all while remaining preserved and physically intact. Holding this card in hand is a truly tangible connection to decades of sports history, imbued with the memories of the countless people who have treasured and protected it over the years.

The first boy to ever hold that card in hand after opening it from a pack likely had no idea of the significance it would hold decades later, but his act of wonder and excitement set in motion the decades-long journey that has allowed this remarkable piece of history to survive.

Finally, it is important to note that vintage collectors often place a great deal of emphasis on the rarity and condition (eye appeal) of individual cards. This serves to enhance the intrinsic value of these cards, and further cements their legacy as important cultural artifacts. While modern released cards will seek to compete in REAL TIME with modern technology vintage cards will stand on their own two feet. These are true artifacts that were NOT released as a parallel to other forms of digital art & technology . Relics from an era long gone yet certainly not forgotten.