Baseball Cards & Memorabilia

Cards

Baseball cards have been around since the 1880s, when tobacco companies began issuing them to promote sales. Early cards varied in design and format, but were generally smaller than today’s cards. In the early 20th Century, other manufacturers entered the market, but production of cards was interrupted by paper shortages in the two World Wars.

Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. produced the first modern card set in 1952, introducing the now-standard 2 ½ x 3 ½ size. Topps would dominate the baseball card market for decades. In the 1980s there was an explosion of interest in baseball cards as several new companies entered the market, leading eventually to the dizzying array of brands and sets being produced today. Companies currently licensed to produce Major League Baseball cards are Topps, Donruss/Playoff, Fleer, and Upper Deck.

Collecting baseball cards has been a part of growing up for generations of American children, and is now a hobby enjoyed by millions of adults worldwide.

Memorabilia

Baseball is a sport well suited to producing heroes, and acquiring memorabilia associated with star players or a favorite team has long been a part of fans’ participation in the National Pastime. Getting players to autograph photographs, balls, jerseys and other equipment of the game is a favorite activity of young and old alike.

In addition, publications associated with the game have become collectibles prized by many. Game programs, scorecards, team yearbooks and guides, ticket stubs, and baseball magazines are among the items acquired by collectors over the years.

http://libweb.uoregon.edu/exhibits/baseball/cards.html
April 26, 2004
Maintained by Ted Smith