Trade cards, a form of early advertising, were prevalent in the 1880s and 1890s. These cards advertised businesses and products while generally including some sort of artwork. The majority of these types of 19th century cards featured non-sports subjects. But there are plenty of sports issues to be found and one of the most beautiful sets is arguably the 1893 Arbuckle Coffee … [Read more...] about 1893 Arbuckle Coffee Card Set Mixes Early Sports and Legendary Artwork
19th century baseball cards
Family of Former Player Consigns Group of 19th Century Waldon Cabinets to Auction
A collection of rare 19th century baseball cabinet cards has been uncovered, with provenance dating back to a player from the era. Grey Flannel Auctions received the unique consignment of rare 1890 Waldon cabinets from the family of former baseball player Hardy Richardson. Richardson himself appears on some 19th century baseball cards as his career spanned a total of … [Read more...] about Family of Former Player Consigns Group of 19th Century Waldon Cabinets to Auction
19th Century Baseball Currency is Worth Big Bucks
As baseball grew in popularity in the 19th century, the types of collectibles offered for the sport grew as well. Collectors of early baseball cards know about tobacco cards and trade cards, but one of the more unique items found in the late 1800s was baseball currency. As we'll see in a bit, this wasn't actual currency to be used anywhere. But it was able to be used as money … [Read more...] about 19th Century Baseball Currency is Worth Big Bucks
1869 Peck & Snyder Red Stockings Card Discovered in Cincinnati Area
It only took 150 years, but there's a new card discovery that will be making its way to an auction this fall. Robert Edward Auctions' fall auction, which is set to open on November 20, will feature a newly discovered 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings team CDV. The card, which had not left the greater Cincinnati area in the century and a half since it was produced, was … [Read more...] about 1869 Peck & Snyder Red Stockings Card Discovered in Cincinnati Area
Pre-War Card Games Were Popular Player Endorsements
Athletes continue to do endorse all sorts of products, just as they have for the past 100 years. These products have covered nearly everything under the sun, including professional services, food/beverages, apparel, vehicles, tobacco, and nearly everything you can imagine. As games of amusement started to emerge in the late 1800s, baseball-themed card games became yet another … [Read more...] about Pre-War Card Games Were Popular Player Endorsements
High Costs of 19th Century Tobacco Cards Revealed
We mostly refer to the boom of the American tobacco cards as coming in the early 1900s. Numerous sets were produced in the 1909-12 time period. However, the start of the cards actually came much earlier than that. The 1880s is where most cigarette cards got their beginnings. But despite being very popular with collectors, tobacco companies were very interested in cutting … [Read more...] about High Costs of 19th Century Tobacco Cards Revealed
Chasing Tobacco: The Early Years (Part I of III)
This three-part series will take a look at the early history of tobacco cards from the pre-war era. It is often said that the earliest baseball cards were trade card issues. While that is technically correct, the hobby really started growing its roots in the era of tobacco cards. Tobacco cards featuring baseball players generally got their start in the 1880s. While we … [Read more...] about Chasing Tobacco: The Early Years (Part I of III)
The Wayback Collector: Large Find of 19th Century Tobacco Cards Enters Hobby
Finding even a small 19th century tobacco collection is a notable discovery. But when that collection includes hundreds of cards, it's a haul rarely seen. That was the case, however, with a collection recently acquired by Dave Hobson of BaseballCardBuyer.com, who was approached by the owner of approximately 800 19th century cards including both sports and non-sports … [Read more...] about The Wayback Collector: Large Find of 19th Century Tobacco Cards Enters Hobby
Notes: Thief Steals Dionne’s 1st Skates; 1880s Newspaper Touts Goodwin Album; Tiger Talks Upper Deck
Sometime in the last five weeks, a thief stole the first pair of skates ever worn by Hockey Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne. Stored in the back room of his memorabilia shop in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the brown leather skates with straps were given to him as a Christmas gift in August of 1953 when he was just two. A photo of him dressed in a Montreal Canadiens sweater and … [Read more...] about Notes: Thief Steals Dionne’s 1st Skates; 1880s Newspaper Touts Goodwin Album; Tiger Talks Upper Deck
Estate Find of 19th Century Baseball Cards Nets $431,000
A fresh-to-the-hobby collection of 37 19th century baseball cards has sold for a combined $431,000. Originating in a Long Island estate, the group of N173 Old Judge Cabinet cards from 1888 sold through Weiss Auctions as part of a 500-lot sale that included cards and other collectibles. The crown jewel of the “North Fork Find” was a possibly unique cabinet card photo … [Read more...] about Estate Find of 19th Century Baseball Cards Nets $431,000