In the 1880s and 1890s, the earliest tobacco sports card sets were hitting the market. Along with the creation of these cards, tobacco companies wanted to reward their best customers. One of the ways they did that was through the distribution of premium albums. These albums usually included pictures of all of the cards in the set, often against some sort of decorative backdrop. … [Read more...]
1887 N184 Kimball Champions Set A Tough Issue For Collectors
Nineteenth century tobacco cards aren't the kind of thing you'll find in abundance at your local show or shop. Even online, pickings are sometimes slim. That sentiment holds particularly true for the 1887 Kimball Champions set, produced by the Kimball Tobacco Company. The classic tobacco card issue designated as N184 in the American Card Catalog requires plenty of patience … [Read more...]
19th Century Baseball Cards: 10 Great Players to Consider
Baseball cards didn't really gain mass popularity until the 1950s, but that doesn't mean cards weren't produced for any number of other greats. Just a few years ago, one of the world's oldest cards, thought to be a team shot of the 1865 Brooklyn Atlantics sold at auction for $92,000. There are many collectors who specialize in cards that date back a century or more and many of … [Read more...]