Baseball cards are one of the most collected items in the United States. They are simply a trading card related to baseball, usually reflecting a single player, printed on card stock. Cards are also printed for other sports, but baseball cards, particularly old baseball cards, are the most popular of all trading card types.

As baseball was growing in popularity in the 1880's, the cigarette manufacturers of the time came across an idea to promote their sales. They decided to insert cards in to the cigarette packs depicting images of baseball players and teams.

Baseball continued to increase in popularity, and thus other companies besides cigarette makers began to enter the baseball card business. Hand-drawn pictures were replaced with photographs as the price and effort required for good photos declined. Card with hand-tinted pictures are now very rare baseball cards, and are valuable and highly prized.

The production of baseball cards reached its peak after the end of the second World War. There was competition between various companies to be the top seller. Due to its scarcity, the most coveted card is one which was produced in 1952. Baseball itself has gained from from the growing popularity of baseball card collecting.

Many companies started making baseball cards decades ago, but only a handful grew to become major producers. One of these had the bright idea of including a pack of gum with their baseball cards, leading to other matching them by giving away little puzzles, stickers, and so forth. Other promotional items that have been included are cloth from team uniforms, cookies, and entries into contests.

You can find old baseball cards virtually everywhere, including thrift shops, antique stores and even estate sales. Plenty of retail stores sell and sometimes even buy old baseball cards. Rare baseball cards can often be found on online auction websites. And it's even possible that you might find valuable cards stashed away by your parents or grandparents. With the right cards and the right selling venue, you can make a small fortune!

Baseball cards are trading cards, usually reflecting a single player. The old baseball cards are the most popular of all trading card types. Along with the sport the cards became popular in 1800. The cigarette companies started printing pictures of teams or single player, mostly to promote their own wares. Baseball card production increased after the World War II. . One of the cards, produced in 1952, has become the most sought-after card due to its scarcity and value. The vintage baseball cards with hand-drawn pictures are very rare cards and therefore very valuable. Rare baseball cards can often be found on online auction websites.