Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe

Episode 113 Summer Show Strategies

Whether you're heading to Fanatics Fest, The National, the Dallas Card Show, or your local card show, one wrong move could cost you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. In this episode, Joe Davis shares decades of experience from behind the dealer table, revealing smart strategies for buying, selling, grading, and negotiating at today's biggest hobby events. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, maximize your budget, spot hidden opportunities, and prepare like a seasoned collector before you ever walk through the doors. If you're planning to attend a card show this summer, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 112 Non Sports Rookies Part 2

From Snoopy's earliest appearances to the surprisingly complex world of Peanuts trading cards, this episode uncovers one of the hobby's most overlooked collecting opportunities. Joe Davis explores the history behind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the beloved Peanuts gang, revealing rare vintage issues, international releases, and the cards many collectors don't even know exist. Along the way, he shares the research strategies he uses to identify long-term collectibles and explains why one of the world's most recognizable brands may still be undervalued. Whether you're a lifelong Peanuts fan, a vintage card collector, or simply love discovering hidden gems in the hobby, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 111 Grading Trends and Strategies PSA BGS SGC and CGC

PSA's value-level grading services have been paused for a full month now, so what should collectors be doing? In this episode, Joe Davis shares what he's seeing firsthand after handling thousands of grading submissions and reveals the strategies his own shop is using while the hobby waits for PSA to reopen. From surprising grading trends and market shifts to the best alternatives for modern cards, vintage, and TCG, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make smarter decisions in an uncertain market. If you're wondering whether to wait, switch grading companies, or keep your collection moving, you won't want to miss this insider's perspective from one of the hobby's most experienced grading submitters.

Episode 110 Nashville Show Report

This week on Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe… Joe’s out, so it’s time for A Cup of Tea. ☕️ Join Taylor alongside retail power duo Jeff and Annette as they share about life behind the counter at GotBaseballCards and recap the team’s latest trip to the Nashville Card Show. From unforgettable customer moments and hobby stories to grading trends, vintage finds, exploding interest in Pokémon and cartoon cards, and what really makes a great card show experience—this episode goes deeper than buying and selling. You’ll hear about collecting across generations, balancing family and hobby, lessons learned on the show floor, and why creating memorable experiences still matters most in today’s market. Plus: rapid-fire hobby questions, dream cards, show insights, and a look ahead at what’s next for the hobby this summer. Whether you’re chasing slabs, building sets, or just love the community side of collecting, this episode is packed with stories that remind us why we got into cards in the first place.

Episode 109 Cartoon Rookie Cards - Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Looney Tunes

What if the biggest “rookie cards” in collecting aren’t athletes at all? In this episode of SportsCards & A Cup of Joe, Joe Davis takes listeners into a world most collectors never realize exists- vintage non-sports cards featuring legendary cartoon and entertainment characters. Inspired by a record-setting sale of a rare Luke Skywalker card, Joe explores the hidden market behind early appearances of icons like Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and Bugs Bunny. From obscure international releases and ultra-low population reports to the thrill of uncovering forgotten cardboard treasures decades later, this episode blends nostalgia, collecting strategy, and a fresh way to think about long-term demand. Whether you collect sports, vintage, or simply grew up with Saturday morning cartoons, you may never look at “rookie cards” the same way again. And this is only Part 1.