When was the term "Rookie Card" introduced into the Hobby ?

[insidethewrapper]

When was the term "Rookie Card" first introduced into the Hobby ? What is the earliest source ? Been looking at some 1979 Trader Speaks and found mentioned in these publications .

[jason.1969]

Not what you asked but on a related note...

The first time the word Rookie appeared on the front of a baseball card was (I think) 1959 with the Topps "Sporting News Rookie Stars of 1959" subset and the Fleer Ted Williams card 14, "Outstanding Rookie of 1939."

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[pingman59]

I was new to the organized hobby in early 1977 and hadn't heard the term until the summer of 1978 at the Chicagoland Sports Collectors Association 3-day convention. The 1954 Topps Hank Aaron card was referred to as a rookie card
and was 20 bucks for a nice one (EX-MT or better). Sigh...

[Leon]

It would be nice for a few old timers to chime in. I collected in the later 60s, as a kid, and just don't remember if we collected the rookies in particular or not. That was a long time ago.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Leon

It would be nice for a few old timers to chime in. I collected in the later 60s, as a kid, and just don't remember if we collected the rookies in particular or not. That was a long time ago.

I do believe that the 1954 Topps Aaron was the first card referred to as a rookie card. Possibly as early as 1974 when he became the all time HR leader. My brother had gotten an Aaron RC from a "grab bag" at a swap meet and I remember it being a big deal after Hank hit 715.

I remember the multiplayer rookie cards were unpopular in the 60s and early 70s. I bought 2 Seaver Rcs for ten cents each in 1973, they were treated as commons. We had a bunch of Ryan and Bench Rcs because no one wanted them. When we "flipped" cards, those were among the first to go. Mantle, Mays, Koufax, Clemente, etc. cards were valued and kept.

[drcy]

Many "old timers" collectors say a common sentiment was to prize the latest not the earliest card for a player.

Worth noting that the early definition of rookie was very narrow in its scope and what cards could be included.

[jchcollins]

I started collecting in 1986, and I’m sure the term was in use prior to then, but the card at that time that was “the” RC to chase was the ‘63 Rose.


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[RCMcKenzie]

The Rose rookie was a big deal in the late 70's and 80's, also the 52 Mantle. I could not afford those, but my brother and I fished this Brett rookie out of a bargain bin in Anaheim at the 85 national for $3. We thought it was a huge score at the time.

I remember the Murray rookie was a big deal in 78 as I was pulling them and setting them aside to trade.

[ALBB]

Yea, that rookie card phenomenon ...I recall a few things... -

when people started making a big deal about rookie cards...it got a bit absurd,as collectors started racing backwards and finding out rookie cards of " just alright " players - 68 Larry Hisle, 71 Concepcion, 62 Fregosi....cards that were pretty much commons, all of a sudden were listed higher in the " almighty price guide "

and the other thing - Dealers taking advantage of this crazy and making you know " Hey thats a second year Kaline, a third year Schmidt, a fourth year Banks....somewhat ridiculous I thought

[ALBB]

another amusing thing with Rookie cards...when there was a break in the major card companys issues sets due to the war/paper shortage/ money,etc.. you saw cards of players with 3-4-5 years of experience having their " first" card listed as a rookie...

... always seemed odd