Original Allen & Ginter Baseball Sets Changed Collecting

In 1887-1888, Richmond, Virginia-based Allen & Ginter Tobacco company released its “World Champions” baseball card series and helped launched the full color baseball card that’s still popular today.

Competition for the smoker’s nickel was fierce in the late 19th century and tobacco companies were looking for any edge they could find. In 1875, Allen & Ginter began putting cardboard stiffeners inside its cigarette packages to prevent them from being crushed. Soon, they realized that including advertising or better yet, a bonus to buyers, was incentive enough to make a sale.

With limited access to books and virtually nothing printed in color, trading cards became an instant hit. They were an oasis of knowledge on a 1 1/2″ by 2 3/4″ piece of cardboard, bringing legends to life. As the first-ever full color baseball card set, the “World Champions” series is perhaps the most popular baseball card issue of the 19th century.

Ten ballplayers were included among the first 1887 Allen & Ginter 50-card release, which also included boxers, runners and wild west personalities like Buffalo Bill Cody. The series carries the American Card Catalog designation of N28.

Eight of the ten players in the N28 Allen & Ginter set are from National League teams while two American Association subjects are included:  Charles Comiskey and R.L. “Bob” Caruthers.  Six of the ten baseball players are in the Hall of Fame (Anson, Clarkson, Comiskey, Keefe, Kelly and Ward).

Allen & Ginter followed their 1887 release with a second series of cards, better known as N29, in 1888. The Allen & Ginter name disappeared from the front of the cards with the new launch, but the player’s position and team were now included. Just six baseball players were issued this time including Buck Ewing, James Fogarty, Charles Getzien (spelled Getzin), George Miller, John Morrill (spelled Morrell) and James Ryan. Somewhat easier to find than the first series, one can often find these in lower to middle grade for $200-300 except for Ewing, the lone Hall of Famer.  All six are National Leaguers.

Again, the overall set included a variety of subjects from popular culture including Oarsmen, Wrestlers, Pugilists, Rifle Shooters, Billiard and Pool players, all of which sell for much less than the baseball players’ cards.

The company also produced a “premium” set in 1888, likely made to promote their new larger cigarettes and in addition to there being a colorful illustration of the player, they now had a colorful background as well, a baseball-related theme on each side of the player illustration. The set designated N43 again included 50 cards, but only the same six baseball players as in the N29 set. Card backs include the entire series two checklist along with an Allen & Ginter advertisement.

Again, an album was produced, created most likely as an incentive for the loyal tobacco customer who likely had collected all the cards and wanted to preserve them.

Whether you are interested in collecting the N28 or N29 series, you will find that prices and conditions of the cards vary greatly. While you may be able to find a John Fogarty card for $30.00 if it’s been glued into a book, you might have to pay $625 or more for a high grade copy.

Topps brought back the Allen & Ginter name a couple of years ago, creating a modern set in the image of the 19th century original and the move has proven to be a hit with collectors who appreciated the nod to history of baseball–and baseball cards.

While many may think the Allen & Ginter cards are out of their collecting price range, the fact is that with only 22 cards for the baseball collector to chase, it’s not an insurmountable task if you don’t insist on near mint condition. By doing your homework and searching around you just may be able to find a new passion. What’s more fun than holding a card in your hands that was first held by someone over 120 years ago?

N28 1887 Allen & Ginter Checklist

1. Joe Acton – Wrestler
2. Yank Adams – Billiards
3. Adrian C. Anson – Baseball
4. Theo. Bauer – Wrestler
5. Wm. Beach – Oarsman
6. Chas W. Bennett – Baseball
7. Young Bibby (Geo Mehling) – Wrestler
8. Capt. A.H. Bogardus – Rifle Shooter
9. Geo. Bubear – Oarsman
10. Jimmy Carney – Pugilist
11. Jimmy Carroll – Pugilist
12. R.L. Caruthers – Baseball
13. Dr. W.F. Carver – Rifle Shooter
14. John Clarkson – Baseball
15. Hon. W.F. Cody – Rifle Shooter
16. Charles Comiskey – Baseball
17. Maurice Daly – Billiards
18. Jack Dempsey – Pugilist
19. Jos. Dion – Billiards
20. Albert Frey – Pool Player
21. Jacob Gaudaur – Oarsman
22. Capt. Jack Glasscock – Baseball
23. Albert Hamm – Oarsman
24. Ed. Hanlan – Oarsman
25. Geo. H. Hosmer – Oarsman
26. Timothy Keefe – Baseball
27. Mike Kelly – Baseball
28. Jake Kilrain – Pugilist
29. Joe Lannon – Pugilist
30. J.L. Malone – Pool Player
31. Jack McAuliffe – Pugilist
32. John McKey – Oarsman
33. J.H. McLaughlin – Wrestler
34. John McMahon – Wrestler
35. Charlie Mitchell – Pugilist
36. Wm. Muldoon – Wrestler
37. Joseph Mulvey – Baseball
38. Miss Annie Oakley – Rifle Shooter
39. Wallace Ross – Oarsman
40. J. Schaefer – Billiards
41. Wm. Sexton – Billiards
42. Geo. F. Slosson – Billiards
43. Jem Smith – Pugilist
44. Matsada Sorakichi – Wrestler
45. John L. Sullivan – Pugilist
46. John Teemer – Oarsman
47. E.A. Trickett – Oarsman
48. M. Vignaux – Billiards
49. John M. Ward – Baseball
50. Ike Weir – Pugilist

1888 N29 (2nd Series) Checklist:

1. James Albert – Go As You Please
2. W.J.M. Barry – Hammer Thrower
3. Theobaud Bauer – Wrestler
4. Edwin Bibby – Wrestler
5. Capt. Paul Boyton – Swimmer
6. E.C. Carter – Runner
7. C.W.V. Clarke – Walker
8. W.E. Crist – Cyclist
9. H.G. Crocker – Cyclist
10. Wm. Cummings – Runner
11. Capt. J.C. Daly – All Around Athlete
12. Patesy Duffy – Pugilist
13. Dr. James Dwight – Lawn Tennis
14. Wm. G. East – Oarsman
15. Billy Edwards – Pugilist
16. Wm. Ewing – Baseball Player
17. Patrick Fitzgerald – Go As You Please
18. Jas. H. Fogarty – Baseball Player
19. M.W. Ford – All Around Athlete
20. W.G. George – Runner
21. Chas. H. Getzin – Baseball Player
22. Willie Harradon – Cyclist
23. Jack Halvin – Pugilist
24. Gus. Hill – Club Swinger
25. F.F. Ives – Cyclist
26. Patsey Kerrigan – Pugilist
27. Geo. La Blanche – Pugilist
28. E.D. Lange – Walker
29. Hugh McCormack – Skater
30. Jack McGee – Pugilist
31. Geo. F. Miller – Baseball Player
32. John Morrell – Baseball Player
33. Frank Murphy – Pugilist
34. Johnny Murphy – Pugilist
35. L.E. Myers – Runner
36. Wm. O’Connor – Oarsman
37. W.B. Page – High Jumper
38. Axel Paulsen – Skater
39. Thomas Pettitt – Lawn Tennis
40. C.A.J. Queckberner – Weight Lifter
41. T. Ray – Pole Vaulter
42. Duncan C. Ross – All Around Athlete
43. Wm. A. Rowe – Cyclist
44. James Ryan – Baseball Player
45. R.D. Sears – Lawn Tennis
46. H.W. Slocum Jr. – Lawn Tennis
47. Percy Stone – Cyclist
48. Ralph Temple – Cyclist
49. Capt. Matthew Webb – Swimmer
50. Fred Wood – Cyclist

See Original Allen & Ginter cards on eBay

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].