Baseball Card Appraisal
Every appraisal is handled personally, with care, clarity, and professional rigor — free from pressure or incentive — so clients can understand what they have, what it’s worth, and why it matters.
Expert Valuations for Your Baseball Card Collection
Michael Osacky
Whether it’s a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth you’ve held onto for years, a Lou Gehrig Signed Baseball you received as a kid, or a modern low-population parallel that’s suddenly taken off in the hobby — whatever you’re holding, when it’s time for a professional baseball card appraisal, you want one that’s thorough, independent, and dependable.
That’s where Baseball in the Attic comes in.
We provide standards-based sports card appraisal services accepted by attorneys, courts, the IRS, insurance carriers, auction houses, and museums. The practice is led by Michael Osacky — ISA-accredited, USPAP-compliant, and Lead Appraiser at PSA, the largest third-party authentication and grading company in the world.
Recent Valuations
Item
1948 Leaf #1 Joe DiMaggio
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1948
Appraisal Value:
$1,500
Item
Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Topps #123 Sandy Koufax PSA 7
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1955
Appraisal Value:
$7,500
Item
T3 Turkey Red Nap Lajoie (Checklist Back)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1911
Appraisal Value:
$2,300
Item
Topps Complete Set (250)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1954
Appraisal Value:
$6,000
Item
Goudey #53 Babe RuthSGC 3
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1933
Appraisal Value:
$14,000
Item
T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder SGC 2.5
Type
Baseball Card
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,500
Item
Tip Top Bread Honus Wagner PSA 2
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1910
Appraisal Value:
$125,000
Item
Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle VG (O/C)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1951
Appraisal Value:
$10,000
Item
N173 Old Judge Detroit Deacon White
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1888
Appraisal Value:
$20,000
Valuations
Meet Michael, the
“Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards”
Michael Osacky.
PSA’s Lead Appraiser, USPAP-compliant, Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
Michael Osacky’s love for the hobby began with a shoebox of baseball cards passed down from his grandfather — cards tucked away, saved carefully, and cherished long before anyone thought about market value. That early spark grew into decades spent immersed in sports history, handling rare collections, and understanding how condition, context, and provenance shape worth. Today, he is known as the “Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards,” a title given by Forbes Magazine, and is arguably the world’s leading sports memorabilia appraiser.
The Appraisal Process
Step 1
Initial Conversation & Photo Review
Every appraisal begins with a conversation. Michael asks a few key questions and reviews photos to understand the collection and its purpose. For large collections, a photo of every single item is not required.
Step 2
In-Person Inspection
Michael photographs and evaluates each item for surface quality and condition. If provenance is key, all details are obtained. Population data and prior grading history are reviewed where applicable. For ungraded items, careful condition analysis supports accurate value estimation.
Step 3
Formal Appraisal & USPAP Standards-Based Report
A formal, standards-based appraisal report is prepared using market comparables, auction data, grading references, and accepted valuation methodology. Reports are suitable for legal, tax, insurance, or estate purposes.
Why Choose Our Sports Card
Appraisal Service?
Independent, standards-based sports card appraisal services led personally by Michael Osacky — ISA-accredited, USPAP-compliant, and Lead Appraiser at PSA.
Accredited & Standards-Based
Every sports card appraisal adheres to USPAP and nationally recognized standards accepted by attorneys, courts, the IRS, insurance carriers, auction houses, and institutions.
Nationally Recognized Expertise
Michael Osacky serves as Lead Appraiser at PSA and has decades of experience in card grading, vintage sports card appraisal, and high-value collectible sports cards.
Direct, Conflict-Free Evaluation
Each sports card valuation is completed personally. There is no sales incentive or transactional pressure — only independent, research-based card valuation.
Our Appraisal Services: What We Evaluate
Baseball in the Attic provides professional appraisal services focused exclusively on vintage and modern baseball cards, with particular depth in material from the 1870s through the 1970s. Michael Osacky personally handles each appraisal — whether evaluating a single high-value card or reviewing a multi-generation collection assembled over decades. Types of baseball cards appraised include:
As Seen In
Who We Serve: Tailored Appraisal Services for Every Card & Collection
Baseball in the Attic works with people facing important decisions around baseball card collections — from inheritance and insurance to legal matters and long-term planning.
What Our Clients Are Saying
It was a pleasure to work with Michael. He is a gentleman. His knowledge of the players and their cards is extraordinary. I highly recommend him.
Peter H., retired lawyer, Connecticut
There is no one like Michael Osacky. Not only do I have a complete record of every item, but I also have an identifiable index with descriptions and appraised values that can be forwarded to insurance companies.
Andy H., Los Angeles, CA
Michael appraised my dad’s Yankees signed baseball collection—extremely valuable not only monetarily but for its many memories and family connections. I’m happy I trusted Michael and am thoroughly satisfied with his work. A pleasure to work with and highly recommended.
Ed H., New York City
Michael is a true professional who delivers detailed, timely reports that help clients value their collections. His expertise in sports cards and memorabilia stands out. I highly recommend Michael.
Corey B., Business Manager, Los Angeles
Michael’s approach is friendly and professional, and his written explanation of how he conducts his appraisal is quite detailed and impressive. It was a pleasure to work with Michael, and I endorse him with great confidence.
John A., Boston
In a hobby full of proverbial minefields, I always exercised caution when dealing with new people. Luckily, Michael is one of the hobby’s most knowledgeable and trustworthy professionals. He is proficient, pleasant to work with, and very communicative.
Lou F., Baltimore, Maryland
My father is the late Charlie O. Finley. My family’s memorabilia needed to be insured. Michael Osacky came highly recommended. He was honest, knowledgeable and thorough with his appraisal. I would use him again.
Marty F., Indiana
Michael helped me to authenticate and appraise a Babe Ruth autograph that has been passed down through my family and holds great personal importance. Michael went above and beyond, recommending a restoration expert and then working with me to appraise the item. I could not be happier!
Shauna M., Rhode Island
Michael completed an appraisal of a premium box suite at MetLife Stadium for donation purposes. Throughout the entire process, he demonstrated exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to accuracy. I confidently recommend Michael for any future appraisal assignments involving premium event spaces, hospitality suites, or similar assets.
Sean B., Princeton, New Jersey
Michael did a great job reviewing my card collection, which is primarily baseball-focused, with an emphasis on early Detroit cards. His follow-up investigation and subsequent appraisal report were amazing.
Bob, Michigan