Baseball cards have long been an iconic part of American culture and childhood nostalgia. For the small city of Rutland, Vermont, baseball cards have also played an important role in the local economy and community. Rutland developed a rich history with baseball cards that spanned much of the 20th century.
Some of the earliest baseball card production in Rutland can be traced back to the 1930s. At the time, the city was home to the small but ambitious Rutland Baseball Card Company. Founded in 1931 by brothers Harry and Lou Marson, the company saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing popularity of baseball across the United States and the rising collectibility of memorabilia related to the sport like photographs and cards.
Starting with humble beginnings producing cards out of a small factory, the Rutland Baseball Card Company gained momentum through the 1930s by securing licenses from major league teams and players. Some of their earliest and most prized issues included 1933 Goudey Baseball and 1934 Goudey Baseball. These sets helped introduce many star players of the era to young collectors. By 1937, the company had grown to employ over 50 Rutland residents at the factory.
However, World War II brought challenges as raw materials became scarce. The Marson brothers decided to shift production to war goods to support the effort. This pause in baseball card production was brief but helped the company gain valuable new printing skills. After the war ended, the Rutland Baseball Card Company was well-positioned to hit the ground running again as interest in the sport surged among returning GIs and baseball card collecting boomed across the country.
One of their most iconic post-war issues was the 1948 Bowman Baseball set, which featured stars like Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Stan Musial on the cards. Demand was through the roof. To keep up, the Rutland factory expanded its operations and workforce throughout the late 1940s and 1950s. At its peak, it directly employed over 200 Rutland residents and had a significant economic impact on the whole community. The factory became a major local employer and taxpayer.
During this golden era for the company, sports stars of the day like Mickey Mantle even visited the factory on occasion. Their appearances drew crowds and were featured in local newspapers. This helped raise the profile of the city for its role in the baseball card industry. For many kids in Rutland at the time, working at the factory after school or in the summer was a coveted job and a way to be a part of the booming business.
The 1960s brought new challenges as the baseball card market became more competitive. Large conglomerates like Topps emerged and undercut prices. The Rutland Baseball Card Company struggled to keep up and was acquired by a larger corporation in 1967. Production continued in Rutland for a few more years but ultimately the factory was closed in 1972. By that point, it directly employed around 50 workers and its loss was a blow to the local economy.
But Rutland’s legacy in the industry lived on. Former employees went on to work for Topps and other major producers. The city itself also became ingrained in baseball card collecting lore. Today, vintage sets and individual cards produced by the Rutland Baseball Card Company in its heyday remain highly sought after by collectors nationwide. Auction prices for some of the scarcer issues continue to climb.
While the factory is long gone, its history is still remembered fondly by many in Rutland who feel the baseball card boom of the post-war decades shaped the identity of their city. A small museum exhibit pays tribute to the role the Rutland Baseball Card Company played. And the current generation of collectors appreciates how a small Vermont city became an important early hub for an industry that has endured and brought enjoyment to many over the decades. The legacy of Rutland’s baseball card pioneers continues to resonate in the world of sports memorabilia.
