Few scans handy, but a list of 10 cards as a chronicle of our collective past?
1 An old Judge- 1880's, and photography is becoming a major technology that's changing communication and art for perhaps the rest of human time.
2 A T206, preferably one with a nice sunset background. The nation is idealistic and hopeful, and the concept of a professional athlete as an idealised celebrity is taking hold.
3 A strip card. The whole country is living it up while europe suffers devastating inflation after WWI. We'd make good looking cards, but we're too busy partying, and trying to figure out how to find smuggle or make booze which has been banned.
4 Either a 33 Goudey or a George C Miller. Booze is back! Unfortunately we've caught that depression Europe had and somewhat still has, and we need to make some very attractive freebies to get kids to even cough up a penny for gum. With the Millers - is that a rising or setting sun? Or both, as both Europe and Asia are feeling a bit feisty after being broke for a decade, and trouble is brewing.
5 A 1948 Bowman. The war's been over for 2+ years, all the survivors are back playing baseball, and the restrictions on most goods are done! A limited set, maybe to see if it still boosts sales. Soon there would be color and larger cards as the countrys buying frenzy continues for a few years.
6 A 1955 Bowman. Television is Here, and now it's in COLOR! As long as you can afford a set. As big a gamechanger as Photography was in the 1880's TV is becoming. A color system that can do both color and the more common monochrome gets it on the way to the big time, and in a decade it will become even bigger as everyone switches to color.
7 A 1967 Topps, the clean look is a triumph of conservative 60's values, clean design to go with clean living, And clear pictures of the players that we see on TV once a week or so. This lifestyle will go on forever, nevermind those odd people listening to that rock music and spouting odd political views They'll grow up soon.
8 A 1972 Topps Clemente. In a bit over a year the player will be gone. Dying in an effort to help people he didn't know. Represents the era, and the best humanity has to offer. Plus, does anything say 70's more than that over the top design? Also an indication that maybe just maybe now that so many of the great players of the 50's who seemed larger than life have retired the game is bigger than the guys that play it. And the colors and stars will appeal to the 5 year olds of the hippies......
9 Any card from the late 80's-early 90's. Mediocre design and photography in most cases, and poor production values. The players and the game no longer seem all that special, after all, they're just guys being paid silly money to play a game. And the cards themselves are now the product, no gum or anything included.
10 Some crazy new card, the more foil stamping, die cutting, equipment parts and autographs the better.And maybe a touch of nostalgia while we figure out what to do when the magpie effect wears off. We've fallen to this, flashy dressing to make something with little substance attractive. Like an old single at last call hoping those new shoes and dress or trendy tie and suit will provide some last shred of relevance - or at least another brief dalliance before time passes over them.
Our society can be described by the things we make. sometimes for the better, sometimes worse. Admittedly the last bit is a bit maudlin, and I could have made it different. But if Earth is in for a big hit and Aliens have to save us, well, maybe it's appropriate.
Steve B
