For decades, the baseball card hobby has revolved around flagship sets from Topps and Bowman. Meanwhile, some of the most fascinating baseball cards have remained under the radar, especially cards from international sets that were distributed in limited quantities. Despite extreme scarcity, many of these foreign cards remain surprisingly affordable. This 1959 Venezuelan Mickey Mantle has a PSA population of just 41, while the standard 1959 Topps Mantle has a PSA population of 18,749. | Card Ladder It is a common misconception that rarity and value always move together. A card can be extraordinarily scarce, but if most collectors are unaware the card even exists, demand will remain limited. On the other hand, if enough collectors eventually “discover” a rare card or set, values can skyrocket because the supply isn't there to meet the new demand. The most extreme example of how hobby awareness can completely change a market is the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card.…