Banazek’s remarkable find, acquired in 2021 from a private collector, is believed to be the largest private sports card collection in the world, boasting an estimated 20 million cards. This collection dwarfs previous records, like the 2.8 million cards held by Paul Jones in Idaho. For years, this treasure trove remained hidden, stored in a remote outbuilding.
The collection features complete Topps baseball card sets spanning from 1954 to 2016, alongside extensive basketball and football card collections. Among the highlights are thousands of cards featuring sports icons such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, as well as rare cards of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Lou Gehrig. Kobe Bryant basketball cards worth thousands of dollars are particularly prized by collectors for their rarity and connection to his legendary career.
Beyond the realm of sports, the collection includes original postcards of Marilyn Monroe, sealed boxes of “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” and Pokemon cards, and early 20th-century cigarette cards of stage actors. Despite ongoing efforts to catalog the collection, Banazek estimates that only a small portion has been thoroughly explored, leaving room for potential hidden gems.
A Collector’s Paradise
Banazek, a dynamic father and CEO of ISC Sales, likens his experience to that of a child in a candy store. The collection, now housed in a leased storefront, is meticulously organized into thousands of boxes, each holding the promise of valuable discoveries.
Joe Marrs, an independent appraiser, was taken aback by the sheer scale of the collection, noting its unparalleled magnitude compared to other large collections he had seen. Transporting the collection was a monumental task, requiring multiple trips with SUVs and U-Hauls to fill an empty antique store with display racks and shelves.
Future Prospects and Public Fascination
Unlike its previous owner, Banazek is enthusiastic about sharing the collection with the public. In collaboration with Rob Smith, a former reality TV executive, he plans to showcase the collection through interactive exhibits and possibly a Las Vegas residency. Additional ideas include launching a podcast and a reality show to delve into the stories behind the cards.
John Skipper, a former ESPN executive, expressed awe at the collection’s vastness and historical importance. Banazek, however, is in no hurry to uncover every card, choosing instead to relish the ongoing journey of discovery.
As Banazek continues to delve into this extraordinary collection, the potential for new revelations remains, offering excitement and intrigue for sports enthusiasts and collectors around the globe.
