In 1887-1888, Richmond, Virginia-based Allen & Ginter Tobacco company released its "World Champions" baseball card series and helped launched the full color baseball card that's still popular today.
Competition for the smoker's nickel was fierce in the late 19th century and tobacco companies were looking for any edge they could find. In 1875, Allen & Ginter began putting cardboard stiffeners inside its cigarette packages to prevent them from being crushed. Soon, they realized that including advertising or better yet, a bonus to buyers, was incentive enough to make a sale.
With limited access to books and virtually nothing printed in color, trading cards became an instant hit. They were an oasis of knowledge on a 1 1/2" by 2 3/4" piece of cardboard, bringing legends to life. As the first-ever full color baseball card set, the "World Champions" series is perhaps the most popular baseball card issue of the 19th century.
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Original Allen & Ginter Baseball cards...Sports Collectors Daily
October 15 2009
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