The 1960s are a haven for insert collectors. Posters, decals, game cards... you never knew exactly what Topps was going to toss into its packs as a free bonus. The 1963 Topps Peel-Off set offered a bigger, bolder, more colorful look than the stamps that had accompanied the 1961 and '62 cards. This insert set gave collectors some big names, with 41% of the subjects … [Read more...]
1961 Nu-Card Scoops Highlighted Game’s Greats, Big Events
Baseball was covered religiously in newspapers during the 1950s and ’60s, with eye-popping headlines and black-and-white photographs of players in action. That was the template for the 1961 Nu-Card Baseball Scoops set, which was a smaller version of the 1960 Nu-Card Baseball Hi-Lites. Scoops cards measure 2½ inches by 3½ inches, which were the same measurements for … [Read more...]
1913 Fatima Team Cards Offer Lower Cost Option for Pre-War Collectors
Tobacco companies had been including baseball cards in their packages as an incentive for more than 30 years when the Liggett and Myers Company decided to use a similar promotion inside its tins of Turkish Blend cigarettes in 1913. These were a little different, though. Instead of individual photos, they used posed team pictures. Today, the underrated 1913 … [Read more...]
The W9316 Strip Card Set is Short, Hideous, and Rare
Strip card sets have been known historically as issues that struggle with aesthetic appeal. But one set, in particular, is one that has made collectors wince for years -- the W9316 strip card set. Here's a closer look at this hidden 'gem.' W9316 Strip Card Basics Believed to have been issued in 1921, the W9316 strip card set is not a large one. It includes only ten cards … [Read more...]
1963 Bazooka Baseball Set Had Star Power, Smaller Checklist
Topps packs weren’t enough for the most dedicated baseball card collectors in the early 1960s. Kids who really loved collecting, were crazy for cards—and had a few more nickels than the average youngster—had to have a box or three. The 1963 Bazooka baseball card series marked the fifth year for what had become an annual rite of summer. They remain popular, … [Read more...]
1961 Peters Meats Twins Cards Welcomed MLB to Minnesota
Their arrival had been anticipated for months. The Washington Senators made it official just as the 1960 season came to a close: they'd be moving 1,100 miles to a new home in time for the following season. That meant there was plenty of time to plan promotions around the newly named franchise and one of them was headquartered in the meat department of grocery … [Read more...]
1878 Forbes Set Among Earliest Baseball Trade Cards
While the heyday for 19th century trade cards came in the 1880s, some sets date a little earlier. One of those is the 1878 Forbes Trade Card set, which is one of the earliest baseball sets in general. Let's take a closer look at this unique issue. About the 1878 Forbes Trade Cards While tobacco cards were quite popular in the 19th century, in terms of sheer volume, there … [Read more...]
1932 Bulgaria Sport Set Includes Babe Ruth and Other Sporting Greats
There are all sorts of pre-war international tobacco sets and a few of them include baseball and the legendary Babe Ruth. One of those is the 1932 Bulgaria Sport set, produced in Germany -- let's take a closer look at it. The Basics Despite its name, the 1932 Bulgaria Sport is actually a German tobacco card set. Bulgaria Sport was the name of a cigarette brand and the formal … [Read more...]
1932 New York Giants Schedule Postcards (Mostly) A Rare Find
Fresh off of a second place finish in the National League standings in 1931, hopes were high for the 1932 iteration of the New York Giants. But despite a lineup that featured Hall of Famers Mel Ott, Bill Terry, Fred Lindstrom, Travis Jackson, Carl Hubbell, and Waite Hoyt, the Giants never met expectations, finishing a disappointing 72-82 under Terry and fellow Cooperstown … [Read more...]
Bazooka Changed Things Up In 1964 Release
The 1964 Bazooka set marked the sixth consecutive set of baseball cards produced by the chewing gum company. But while much about it remained the same from past issues, much changed as well. 1964 Bazooka Baseball Basics For the second straight year, the individual blank-backed cards measured a smaller size from the earlier issues. 1964's edition measured approximately 1 … [Read more...]