Collecting Cards as a Kid in 1889

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Ryan I got a bunch of different ones, here's one dated 1903 on the front

They are really really cool!

And the Barry Sloate Rookie is classic. Very funny

[Joe_G.]

Enjoyed this thread, bumping it back with a late 1887 take on collecting & trading. I like the mention of OJ baseball cards from earlier in the year being quite popular, more so than the actress cards that replaced them in late 1887. Also appears that the Kinney Military cards were quite popular with premium paid for recognized rarities.

15 cents for a card was enough to buy 3 full 10 count packs.

[spec]

Thanks, Joe, for that fascinating trip back in time. If those kids didn't rescue those cards we'd have little to collect today, nearly a century and a half later.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

Enjoyed this thread, bumping it back with a late 1887 take on collecting & trading. I like the mention of OJ baseball cards from earlier in the year being quite popular, more so than the actress cards that replaced them in late 1887. Also appears that the Kinney Military cards were quite popular with premium paid for recognized rarities.

15 cents for a card was enough to buy 3 full 10 count packs.

I appreciated the opportunity to read that article, thanks for sharing.

Among other things, I learned the definition of "yclept."

[philliesfan]

And the definition of teayter.

[Joe_G.]

I've found other articles about our early baseball cards, not all with happy endings. Here is another from 1887, third paragraph mentions the baseball pictures (likely Old Judge cards). Children buying and smoking cigarettes was a widespread issue that would be addressed over the ensuing years with legislation at city, state, and eventually Federal level.

By all accounts, collecting these early cigarette inserts was immediate, primarily by the boys and those assembling scrap books (often adult females - with a stronger interest in the actress and many other non-sport subjects).

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

I've found other articles about our early baseball cards, not all with happy endings. Here is another from 1887, third paragraph mentions the baseball pictures (likely Old Judge cards). Children buying and smoking cigarettes was a widespread issue that would be addressed over the ensuing years with legislation at city, state, and eventually Federal level.

By all accounts, collecting these early cigarette inserts was immediate, primarily by the boys and those assembling scrap books (often adult females - with a stronger interest in the actress and many other non-sport subjects).

Sad but interesting article. It definitely gives me pause as a vintage collector to perhaps focus more on candy and gum card collecting instead.

Brian

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

I've found other articles about our early baseball cards, not all with happy endings. Here is another from 1887, third paragraph mentions the baseball pictures (likely Old Judge cards). Children buying and smoking cigarettes was a widespread issue that would be addressed over the ensuing years with legislation at city, state, and eventually Federal level.

By all accounts, collecting these early cigarette inserts was immediate, primarily by the boys and those assembling scrap books (often adult females - with a stronger interest in the actress and many other non-sport subjects).

Another great read! Thanks for sharing.

Everyone’s always been told it wasn’t until the 60s or 70s that cigarettes were found out to have severe consequences. But even in the early days some people definitely knew.

Here’s a few Magic lantern slides On ebay from the 20s or 30s I thought were really cool. I’m not sure if these are official quotes or if a teacher made them up.