Posted By:
Hal LewisPrior to 1950...
there are only a HANDFUL on which everyone agrees...
and those are the few whose FIRST card came out in a big national set and they have ZERO images in any prior sets (regional or die cut or premiums or exhibits or minor leagues or anything)
1893 Just So Cy Young
1939 Play Ball Ted Williams
1933 Goudey Arky Vaughn
1922 American Caramel Pie Traynor
etc.
There are a few others, of course...
but MANY guys have Zeenuts or minor league cards (that cause a lot of debate)...
and MANY have exhibits or die-cuts (that cause a lot of debate)...
and MANY have strip cards (that cause a lot of debate).
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If the definition of a rookie card includes a NATIONALLY issued set containing several different players in which the player is shown on his first BIG LEAGUE team...
then almost EVERY card prior to 1950 is going to fail to meet those criteria.