Oldest Card with Photo on Reverse?
 

Oldest I can think of is 1971 Topps. Did anyone do it earlier?

1961 Topps checklists would beat that by a decade.


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Not necessarily a "regular" issue, but the '64 Topps Giants had a photo and story on the backs.

1935 Goudey


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Good call...

https://luckeycards.com/pr321goudeyruth.jpg

Nice card!

How could I forget that? I guess because a 1971 Topps started the question in my mind so I was thinking player portraits and not puzzles, but still it answers my question. Good call.

Circa 1910...

Attachment 479474

I just posted this on Twitter, but I think these uncatalogued Japanese cards may pre-date the 1935 Goudeys (see scans attached). Prestige Collectibles agrees.

Auravision and Sportsflics
 

How about the '62 version of this set for a portrait on the back?

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5...4d63c5~mv2.jpg

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5...12ea4a~mv2.jpg

And maybe 1986 Sportsflics Rookies for a full-color photo on the back (pictured is an '87 regular set Darrell Evens since it is the only scan I have at the ready)?

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5...d0cb27~mv2.jpg

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5...fc7750~mv2.jpg

Those Japanese cards are pretty cool

Wow an unpunched Auravision Mays, that's fantastic. Don't know how many people appreciate how tough that is! Always loved how they listed him as OF-SS on that card too. I guess technically it's true, he did play one game there in 1964.