Flashback to 1970. There were trading cards then, mostly Topps' releases (along with a few regional and specialty issues), but the collecting hobby as most of us know it today simply didn't exist. No card shows, no magazines or trading card publications. There was, however, a network of dedicated card collectors, often in contact with one another through classifieds in the back of newspapers and sports magazines.

By 1970, Larry Fritsch was already well known as one of America's major collectors of sportscards, and had already established himself as one of the first "dealers," helping other, newer collectors fill their own sets and meet their collecting desires. Fritsch's own first "dealings" in the hobby date to 1948; few other hobbyists can claim a half century of dealership experience!

Things went well enough in his new card ventures for Larry in the late '60s that by 1970, he decided the time was right. On May 1st of that year, he left his "official" work and began his small dealership, Larry Fritsch Cards, his career of choice. Hobby-wise, Larry Fritsch Cards was easily the first, often the biggest, and always the best.

Larry's son Jeff joined the business a few years later, as the hobby geared up for its surge in the '80s and early '90s. Today, Jeff is the general manager, in charge of many day-to-day operations, while Larry, the owner-founder, works with special needs within his long-established dealer/collector network. Along the way, Fritsch Cards became far more than a simple seller of baseball cards, producing minor-league sets, reprint sets, even "retro" sets for deserving subjects such as the Negro Leagues and the AAGPBL (women's professional baseball of the late '40s and '50s).

Fritsch served as an important advisor to several companies over the years, and though seldom present at national conventions, remains an important force within the hobby. One of the newest and most successful innovations of Larry Fritsch Cards is its 'One of A Kind' card service.

The quarterly One of A Kind FREE catalog lists tens of thousands of vintage cards in varying grades, the ultimate source for thousands of old-time-card collectors working to put together their favorite sets. It's no wonder that Fritsch Cards is the source of choice!!

Today, Larry Fritsch Cards has eight full- and part-time employees, all under the guidance of his son Jeff, who maintains the day-to-day operations.

Sue Fritsch handles catalog and E-Bay sales, Russ Kalpinski is the in-house Products Manager, Marc Wolle oversees Shipping, and Alan Jeffries directs e-mail.

Sue Fritsch

Russ Kalpinski

Marc Wolle

Alan Jeffries

If you've shopped with Fritsch Cards before, we welcome you to our online site! (Look for much more in the weeks and months ahead.) If we're new to you, then look around, see what we're about, then go to our Catalog page and get on our mailing list.

We have the largest inventory of sports cards in the world, with over 65 million in stock ranging from the 1880’s to the present. We can fill virtually any want list whether it be baseball, football, basketball, hockey or especially older pre 1980’s cards, we take great pride in the quantity, quality and selection we offer.

Reliability? Satisfaction? Reputation? Never a problem at Fritsch Cards. We provide a complete money-back guarantee on all cards that we sell. We were known as expert graders years before professional grading services ever touched the scene.

As a customer, you are entitled to real value for your money, cordial and courteous treatment and a complete guarantee of satisfaction. If you are not happy for any reason, we’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.

Simply put: you will be satisfied with the product and service you receive. And by the way, if you should ever need to sell your collection, particularly a sizable, vintage, pre-'80s lot, you should consider selling to us. Thanks from all of us at Larry Fritsch Cards for stopping by to visit and we look forward to serving you soon!