When Melissa Brodt began renovating her newly acquired fixer-upper in Boise, Idaho, she anticipated the usual surprises that come with an old house. However, what she discovered was anything but typical.
As she peeled back layers of wallpaper in an upstairs bedroom, she found a staggering 1,600 baseball cards glued to the wall, a hidden trove that had been concealed for decades.
The previous owner, Chris Nelson, now 44, had grown up in the house during the 1980s.
As a young boy, Nelson had meticulously plastered the cards to his bedroom wall, creating a unique and personal display. For years, the cards remained hidden, forgotten behind layers of wallpaper applied by subsequent homeowners.
Brodt’s discovery sparked immediate intrigue. “I was just peeling back the wallpaper, and there they were,” she recounted.
The cards, which included players like Roger Clemens, have been described as a snapshot of baseball history from that era.
However, the excitement of the find was tempered by a professional assessment. Leila Dunbar, a seasoned memorabilia appraiser, was consulted to determine the value of the collection.
Despite the sheer number of cards, Dunbar explained that their value was minimal. “Cards from the 1980s are generally overproduced,” she noted.
Additionally, the condition of the cards, having been glued to the wall for so many years, further reduced their worth. Many were creased, torn, or had wallpaper adhesive stuck to them, making them less appealing to collectors.
For Brodt, the cards represent more than just potential monetary gain. She is considering ways to preserve this unique piece of the home’s history. “It’s a part of the house’s story now,” she said.
Instead of removing the cards, Brodt is exploring options to incorporate them into the home’s décor, possibly creating a framed display or a feature wall that celebrates the quirky find.
Nelson, the original owner of the cards, expressed a sense of nostalgia upon hearing about the discovery. He recalled the hours spent arranging the cards on his wall and was pleased that his childhood pastime had become an unexpected highlight of the home.
The discovery has also captivated the local community, with neighbors and friends stopping by to view the unusual find. Brodt has enjoyed sharing the story, which adds a layer of charm and history to her renovation project.
In a world where home renovations often reveal mundane or even troublesome surprises, Brodt’s find stands out as a delightful reminder of the personal histories embedded in our homes.
Whether the cards end up in a museum, a collector’s archive, or remain a permanent feature of Brodt’s home, they have already fulfilled their purpose by sparking joy and curiosity.
