Baseball Cards

Baseball cards first appeared in the mid to late 1860's when a company named Peck and Snyder handed them out to help advertise their products in much the same manner as leaflets would be used. It is believed the first card was a photo of the Cincinnati team - at least that is the oldest known card that has lasted until today.

Later, several more companies latched onto the idea and baseball cards were referred to as "trade cards" as they were given away rather than sold. As their popularity increased and people began realizing these trade cards could be sold, baseball cards became an industry in their own right.