Boston · Pokémon Card Appraisal

Your childhood cards
might be worth more
than you think.

Expert, independent appraisals for vintage Pokémon collections, so you know exactly what you have before you sell, trade, or let a card shop lowball you.

1999–2002
Vintage era specialist
100%
Independent. We don't buy.
Boston
In-person, local service
Vintage Pokemon cards including Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pikachu from the original Base Set
The problem
Card shops aren't on your side. We are.

Card shops lowball

Shops need to profit on resale. They'll offer 20–40% of market value on most cards, and most people don't know enough to push back.

Condition is everything

A near-mint 1st Edition card can be worth 10× a played copy. Tiny details, centering, scratches, print lines, dramatically change value.

Prices move fast

The Pokémon card market surged over 400% since 2020. Cards that seemed worthless a few years ago may now fund a vacation.

Services & pricing
What we offer

One service, transparent pricing. The only difference is how many cards we're appraising.

Every appraisal includes
  • Collection condition overview
  • High-value card identification
  • Detailed condition assessment on valuable cards
  • Current market value estimates
  • Written summary of findings
  • Guidance on next steps
Optional add-ons
Complete collection spreadsheet
Full card-by-card inventory with condition grades and current market values. Pricing varies by collection size, inquire for details.
Card protection supplies
Penny sleeves and top loaders for your high-value cards. Priced at cost, available on-site during appraisal.

Single item

$65

One card, sealed pack, or unique item. Ideal when you've been offered a price and want an independent opinion before buying or selling.

Up to 100 cards

$75

Perfect for a small collection or single binder.

Most popular

101–250 cards

$120

The typical childhood collection size.

251–500 cards

$200

Larger collections or multiple binders.

500+ cards

Custom quote

Large collections quoted based on scope.

What's next

Once you know what you have, we'll help you figure out what to do with it.

Not every collection should be sold the same way. After your appraisal, we'll give you honest, straightforward guidance on your best options, whether that's selling to a local card shop for a quick return or listing individual cards online to maximize value. No pressure, no upsell. Just good advice.

Local card shops
We'll tell you what a fair offer looks like so you walk in knowing your floor, and don't leave money on the table.
Selling online
eBay, TCGPlayer, Facebook Marketplace. We'll point you to the right platform for the right cards and explain what to expect.
Grading candidates
Which cards are worth submitting for professional grading, and whether the economics make sense based on current market prices.
Process
How it works

Simple, transparent, and done at your pace. No commitment until you're ready.

1

Free consult

Book a free 10-minute call or message. Tell us roughly how many cards you have and what era they're from.

2

We meet in person

We come to you, or meet at a convenient Boston location. Bring your collection. No prep needed.

3

Full appraisal

We assess condition, research current market prices, and flag anything valuable. You watch if you want.

4

Written report

You receive a clear summary with estimated values, recommendations, and next steps. No jargon.

What clients say
Real results, real people

A sample of the feedback we've received helping friends and early clients discover the value in their collections.

"
★★★★★

Andrew looked at my old binder of cards from 25 years ago. He gave me advice on proper storage and handling, as well as pointed out several high-value cards I had no idea were worth hundreds of dollars each!

Richard M.
Quick Look appraisal
"
★★★★★

Super knowledgeable and completely honest. He told me most of my cards weren't worth much, but explained exactly why, and helped me figure out which cards did have value. He spotted a lot of shadowless cards that really impacted the value, and I had no idea they were even a thing!

Adam G.
Standard appraisal
"
★★★★★

Super helpful!! Thoughtful, quick and detailed response for an appraisal after I requested a tight turnaround. I will be going back for more appraisals and input and appreciate his response.

Verified Client
Tight-turnaround appraisal
"
★★★★★

I found a handful of binders of Pokémon cards in my parents' attic from when I was a kid. Andrew walked me through what to look for, showed me how to look up individual card values, and did a thorough analysis of my collection. 100% better and more trustworthy than walking into some random card shop. Some of those older cards are worth a lot now! Andrew was very thorough and took the time to show me how to properly store the more expensive cards.

Verified Client
Full collection appraisal
Andrew Isidoro, CardStock Appraisals
Hi, I'm Andrew.

I grew up collecting Pokémon cards in the late 90s: the binders, the trades, the excitement of pulling a rare card. Like a lot of collectors, I eventually stepped away from the hobby as life moved on.

A few years ago I found myself rediscovering it: digging out old collections, following the market, and realizing just how much the landscape had changed since the 90s. What had once been a childhood hobby had become a serious market, with prices and nuances that are genuinely difficult to navigate if you've been away from it.

When friends heard I was back into it, they started bringing me their own childhood collections, and in more than one case, their cards were worth hundreds. That experience is what led me to start CardStock Appraisals.

I offer honest, independent appraisals with no conflict of interest. I'm not looking to buy your cards. I'm here to make sure you know exactly what they're worth before you decide what to do with them.

Vintage specialist · 1999–2002
Boston-based · In-person only
Independent · Never a buyer
FAQ
Common questions
Authentic 1999 Base Set cards from Wizards of the Coast have several telltale signs: the card back should show a rich, consistent blue with no fading or bleed, the font should be crisp and evenly inked, and the card stock should feel firm with a light texture, not flimsy or glossy. Holding the card to light reveals a black inner layer in genuine cards. Fakes often fail on one or more of these points. If you're unsure, an in-person appraisal is the most reliable way to confirm authenticity.
Both are highly sought-after early print runs, but they're distinct. 1st Edition cards carry a small stamp on the left side of the card image and were the very first cards printed. Shadowless cards came next. They lack the shadow behind the card image box that appeared on all later "Unlimited" printings, but do not have the 1st Edition stamp. Both command significant premiums over Unlimited copies, with 1st Edition typically worth more. A Shadowless Charizard, for example, is worth substantially more than its Unlimited counterpart even without the stamp.
An appraisal first is almost always the right move. TCG grading services like PSA, BGS, or CGC charge per card and have turnaround times ranging from weeks to months. An appraisal tells you which cards in your collection are actually worth the grading fee. Submitting a card worth $30 for a $25 grading service rarely makes financial sense. We help you identify which holos, Shadowless cards, and holographic rares are strong grading candidates before you spend the money.
We focus on the vintage Wizards of the Coast era: Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Base Set 2, Team Rocket, Neo Genesis, Neo Discovery, Neo Revelation, and Neo Destiny. These sets (roughly 1999–2002) represent the bulk of high-value vintage collections. We're also familiar with the early e-Card sets and Legendary Collection. If your collection spans newer sets as well, we're happy to take a look, though our deepest expertise is in the original Wizards run.
Unfortunately, no, and we'd be cautious of anyone who says they can. Condition is everything in Pokémon card valuation: the difference between a Near Mint and a Heavily Played holographic Charizard can be thousands of dollars. Accurately assessing condition requires examining the card in hand under proper lighting. Photos can hint at issues but routinely miss whitening on card edges, print defects, or subtle creases. An in-person appraisal protects you from leaving money on the table.
Book your appraisal

The consult is free. The appraisal fee is paid at the time of service, after you've had a chance to ask questions.

Boston area, in-person We come to you, or meet at a mutually convenient location.
Typical turnaround Most appraisals are completed same-day. Large collections may take 2–3 days.
Fully independent We don't buy or sell cards ourselves. No conflict of interest, ever.
Email us directly hello@cardstockappraisals.com
Call or text (508) 656-0764

Helpful shots: open binders, any holos or 1st edition cards, backs of cards you're unsure about. One photo only. Need to share more? Email them to hello@cardstockappraisals.com after submitting.
Book Your Appraisal →