Who Still Makes Baseball Cards?

A look at baseball card production in the 21st century.

The History of Baseball Cards

Baseball cards trace their origins back to 1887, when a tobacco company called Allen & Ginter released a set of 50 cards featuring baseball players. These cards were meant to be traded among children and were not intended to be collectible items. It was not until the early 20th century that baseball cards began to be collected as a hobby.

Early baseball cards

The first baseball cards were produced in the late 1800s by tobacco companies as a way to promote their products. These cards were included as bonuses in packs of cigarettes and were collected by both children and adults. The most famous early baseball card is the “Honus Wagner T206” card, which was produced by the American Tobacco Company in 1909. The card is so rare that only a handful are known to still exist, making it one of the most valuable cards in existence.

In the early 1900s, candy companies also began producing baseball cards as a way to promote their products. These cards were often issued in gum or candy products and featured players from all different teams. One of the most popular early candy baseball card sets was the “Babe Ruth Candy Cards” set, which was produced in 1914.

During the 1920s and 1930s, baseball cards were mainly produced by gum and candy companies. However, there were also a few smaller companies that produced baseball cards during this time period. One of the most notable is the “Goudey Gum Company”, which produced a number of popular sets during the 1930s.

Baseball cards became much less common during World War II due to shortages of both paper and ink. However, a few companies did produce baseball card sets during this time period, including the ” Bowman Gum Company” and “Leaf Gum Company”.

After the war, baseball card production resumed and reached new heights in the 1950s with the introduction of Topps’ “Bowman” and “Topps” brands. These brands quickly became the industry leaders and remained so for many years. In 1989, Upper Deck became a major player in the baseball card industry with its radical new design approach that featured lithographed images on high-quality paper stock. Topps responded by acquiring Bowman in 1956 and began producing both brands of cards side-by-side.

Modern baseball cards

Modern baseball cards are generally considered to those produced since around 1980. The inclusion of certified autographs and game-worn material in packs brought a new level of excitement to the hobby and helped fuel the huge increases in value that baseball cards have seen in the last two decades. The most popular brand in the 1980s was Topps, which had maintained its grip on the baseball card market since the 1950s. In the 1990s, Upper Deck emerged as a major player with its high-quality products, many of which are still highly sought after by collectors today. Topps has continued to produce most baseball cards since then, but other companies like Bowman and Panini have also gained a significant share of the market.

The Future of Baseball Cards

Baseball cards have been around for over a hundred years. They are a part of America’s pastime and a favorite hobby for many. However, in recent years, the baseball card industry has seen a decline. So, who still makes baseball cards? And what is the future of baseball cards? Let’s take a look.

The rise of digital baseball cards

Digital baseball cards are slowly but surely gaining in popularity, as many people find them to be more convenient and affordable than their traditional counterparts. While there are still some holdouts who prefer the old-fashioned way of collecting cards, it seems that the future of the hobby lies in the digital realm.

There are a few different companies that offer digital baseball cards, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Topps is one of the most popular choices, as they offer a wide variety of cards to choose from. However, their prices can be a bit steep for some collectors. Another option is Topps Bunt, which is a mobile app that allows you to trade and collect cards with other users. The downside to this app is that there is not as much selection available as there is with other companies.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, you could also check out Bowman’s Chase app. This app allows you to collect digital versions of actual physical cards that are produced by Topps. The catch is that you can only get these cards if you win them through special contests or by purchasing special packs.

No matter what your preference is, it’s clear that digital baseball cards are here to stay. If you’re interested in collecting them, be sure to do your research and find the option that best suits your needs.

The decline of physical baseball cards

In recent years, there has been a decline in the popularity of physical baseball cards. This is due in part to the rise of digital alternatives, such as online trading card games. However, there are still some companies that produce physical baseball cards. Here are a few of them:

Topps is one of the most well-known producers of physical baseball cards. They have been in operation for over 80 years and show no signs of stopping anytime soon. Topps offers a wide variety of products, from traditional trading cards to more modern items like card sets that come with a display frame.

Upper Deck is another company that still produces physical baseball cards. They are known for their high-quality products and innovative designs. Upper Deck has been in business for over 25 years and has won numerous awards for their products.

Panini is a company that specializes in sports trading cards and stickers. They have been operating for over 50 years and are currently the exclusive provider of MLB stickers. Panini also produces other sports-related collectibles, such as NFL and NBA trading cards.

Who Still Makes Baseball Cards?

Topps is the only company that still manufactures baseball cards. They have been in business since 1938 and have been the only company to produce baseball cards since 2006. Topps produces several different types of baseball cards, including Topps Now cards, which are cards that are made to commemorate a certain event that happened during the baseball season.

Topps

Topps is an iconic brand in the baseball card world, and they are still one of the biggest players in the industry. Topps was founded in 1938, and they have been making baseball cards ever since. In addition to baseball cards, Topps also produces cards for other sports, including football, basketball, and hockey.

Upper Deck

Upper Deck is one of the last remaining companies that still manufactures baseball cards. They have been in business since 1988 and have continued to produce high-quality cards that collectors love. In addition to traditional cards, Upper Deck also produces premium cards that are autographed or numbered. They are one of the most respected names in the baseball card industry and their products are highly sought-after by collectors.

Panini

Panini is an Italian company that is one of the largest sports and entertainment publishers in the world. They have been making baseball cards since the early 2000s and are currently the exclusive provider of MLB trading cards.