From Yard Sale to $92,000: The Forgotten Card That Changed Everything

Imagine clearing out your attic or running a simple yard sale… and accidentally giving away a piece of sports history worth nearly six figures.

That’s exactly what happened in Baileyville, Maine, when a man bought an old photo album for less than $100—only to discover an ultra-rare 1865 Brooklyn Atlantics baseball card inside.

This original “card,” technically a carte de visite photograph, predates modern baseball cards and is one of only two known to exist. The photo was taken during the early days of organized baseball, capturing the famed Brooklyn Atlantics team.

He consigned the card to a local auction house, and it ultimately sold for $92,000.

A lucky find? Absolutely. But also a huge reminder…

If you’ve inherited a collection—or simply haven’t looked through your old cards in decades—this story is your wake-up call.

Too many valuable collections are:

• Sold for pennies at garage sales

• Thrown out during downsizing

• Damaged by poor storage

• Handed over to dealers offering far less than market value

Whether you’re holding cards from the 1950s or the 1990s, your collection could include forgotten gems with real collector value.

At The Heritage Hockey Vault, we help collectors, families, and estate professionals:

✅ Identify high-value cards
✅ Professionally consign collections
✅ Reach serious collectors and buyers across Canada
✅ Handle logistics, grading, and sales from start to finish

Whether it’s a single card or an entire inherited estate, we’ll make sure it gets the expert attention it deserves—confidentially and respectfully.

If you think you might have a valuable card or collection—don’t wait.

Let us help you uncover what you really have and explore the best way to sell or preserve it.

"Don’t let your sports history collect dust—or disappear for next to nothing."
Contact The Heritage Hockey Vault today.