Card Collecting

SummaryCard Collecting

The Most Collectible Sports

Baseball

The study and hobby of collecting cards is known as cartophily. A person who studies and collects cards is known as a cartophilist.

People have collected different types of cards all over the World for over 100 years. Some of the first trading cards were printed in the 1800's to be handed out as advertisements for products. Cigarette or tobacco cards first appeared in the last part of the 19th century. These cards were inserted into packs of cigarettes as a way to stiffen the packs. Subjects that appeared on these cards ranged from pretty girls to baseball players.

The collecting of gum cards became popular in the 1930's and again after World War II in the late 1940's.

Topps and Bowman ushered in the modern era of card collecting.

The sports card collecting hobby reached it's boom in the late 1980's and into the 1990's. In 1991 TheNational Sports Collectors Convention held in Anaheim, CA attracted over 100,000 people.

Today, the hobby stills enjoys a large following with local and national card shows and on-line outlets such as eBay.

Collecting cards is not limited to sports cards. NonSports cards such as movie-related cards have a large collector base as well.

The care of cards is an important aspect of collecting. The physical condition of a card is very important. Storing cards in the proper holders can protect a collection for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions about baseball cards.

The Beckett Baseball Card Hall of Fame Class of 2005

Keywordcartophily, baseball cards, card, cards, trading, cigarette cards, collecting, beckett, topps, bowman