Baseball Cards: A Collection History
Baseball cards have been around for a long time; some have actually made their fortunes from the sale of such cards. When one begins looking at baseball card collections, one has to wonder how it all started. When did the tradition of collecting player cards begin; who printed the first cards? These are just some of the questions one must consider when looking at card collecting.
The beginning of baseball cards can be traced to the increase in popularity of photography. When photography took off, many companies began using photos of baseball players to advertise, whether or not the product had anything to do with the game of baseball. The first company to produce baseball trade cards was Peck and Snyder in 1868. Since then, the popularity of the hobby has grown.
By the 1900, cigarette companies were making most of the baseball cards available for marketing purposes. When WWI broke out and the economy was focused on the war, baseball card production took a back seat until the thirties. Through the forties and fifties, cards began to have more vivid coloring and they also started to include player information. This is also when gum companies started using the cards as a gimmick to earn sales.
In the eighties, after successful lawsuits, the top dog of cards, Topps, was no longer holding a monopoly on the card industry. Other companies, like Fleer, Upper Deck, and Pinnacle became leaders in card production. Modern card collection include packs of cards being introduced; gum still factors in to the baseball card equation.
Cards can be found in a variety of settings today. You may shop online for some rare and collectible cards. Many people still prefer to visit a traditional collector’s store. Trading takes place as well as selling in this setting. Large retailers like Walmart also sell the cards; don’t let this stop you, as expensive cards can be found in ordinarily priced sets at big box chains. No matter how you obtain your cards, they will provide an engaging hobby that can be passed on to the next generation.
The beginning of baseball cards can be traced to the increase in popularity of photography. When photography took off, many companies began using photos of baseball players to advertise, whether or not the product had anything to do with the game of baseball. The first company to produce baseball trade cards was Peck and Snyder in 1868. Since then, the popularity of the hobby has grown.
By the 1900, cigarette companies were making most of the baseball cards available for marketing purposes. When WWI broke out and the economy was focused on the war, baseball card production took a back seat until the thirties. Through the forties and fifties, cards began to have more vivid coloring and they also started to include player information. This is also when gum companies started using the cards as a gimmick to earn sales.
In the eighties, after successful lawsuits, the top dog of cards, Topps, was no longer holding a monopoly on the card industry. Other companies, like Fleer, Upper Deck, and Pinnacle became leaders in card production. Modern card collection include packs of cards being introduced; gum still factors in to the baseball card equation.
Cards can be found in a variety of settings today. You may shop online for some rare and collectible cards. Many people still prefer to visit a traditional collector’s store. Trading takes place as well as selling in this setting. Large retailers like Walmart also sell the cards; don’t let this stop you, as expensive cards can be found in ordinarily priced sets at big box chains. No matter how you obtain your cards, they will provide an engaging hobby that can be passed on to the next generation.
Views: 12
Comment
© 2024 Created by Rich Mueller.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Sports Collectors Social Network to add comments!
Join Sports Collectors Social Network