Ralston Purina was a major American food producer and brand name best known for their breakfast cereals, animal feeds and pet foods. They also had a brief foray into the world of baseball card collecting during the 1950s and 1960s that still captivates collectors today. While production runs were relatively short, some Ralston Purina cards have proven to be quite valuable depending on specific players, conditions and other factors.
Ralston Purina began inserting baseball cards as prizes into Cracker Jack popcorn and cookie packages in 1953. That first set featured 60 cards of players from the 1952 season. Designs were fairly basic with photos on one side and stats on the reverse. The cards themselves measured approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches, a standard size for the era. Sets from 1954-1956 continued the same format. While common for the time, finding cards in pristine conditioned decades later makes them more desirable to collectors today.
In 1957, Ralston Purina took baseball card inserting to another level by including complete 132-card sets in Cracker Jack boxes for the first time. Now considered by collectors as the true first “factory set”, it highlighted players and stats from the 1956 MLB season. With higher print runs to complete sets, individual common cards don’t hold tremendous value unless they are well-preserved specimens. Short prints and especially the super-short printed Ernie Banks rookie card in the 1957 set can fetch thousands in top grades.
Building on the popularity of enclosed factory sets, Ralston Purina distributed new 128-card sets in Cracker Jack boxes again in 1958 and 1959. Designs underwent minor changes like the addition of team logos but formats remained very similar. The 1958 set is notable for including Hall of Famer Willie Mays’ second year card along with a rookie card for future 500 home run club member Dick Stuart. Prices for top-graded versions of stars from this period regularly sell for hundreds on the open market. Condition sensitive short prints could potentially sell for over $1000 in Gem Mint condition as well.
One of the most iconic Ralston Purina sets comes from 1961. Distributed in Cracker Jack boxes, it featured 132 cards highlighting the 1960 season. But it also included the first card featuring a color photograph of a player – Harmon Killebrew on card #42. While a defining moment, the card itself holds substantially less value than other highly significant rookie and star player cards included that year. Frank Robinson’s rookie card leads the pack in demand. Top-graded versions regularly sell for tens of thousands in auction. Other 1960 rookies like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver also earn big bucks in top condition.
Ralston Purina’s final baseball card distribution came in 1962, again via a 132-card factory set inserted in Cracker Jack boxes. Designs were similar to previous years with black-and-white photos. This set stands out due to rookie cards of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Lou Brock along with Ferguson Jenkins. High-grade versions of these rookie stars can earn thousands, with a PSA 10 Clemente potentially reaching six-figures according to Beckett Price Guides. Even lesser stars from the 1961-62 seasons hold value in pristine condition due to the dwindling supply of intact examples decades later.
While Cracker Jack box inserts ended after 1962, Ralston Purina did produce baseball cards as promotional items for a few more years targeted at retailers. Their 1964 and 1966 “Airmail” cards featured action photos with backgrounds of airmail paper. Condition is especially important as the thin paper stock was fragile. Later Ralston Purina issues from the 1960s offered sticker cards through cereal boxes and other means rather than gum/candy inserts. Values generally rank lower but stars can still earn hundreds graded perfectly.
In the modern market, Ralston Purina cards are actively collected and supplies have largely been captured by enthusiasts long ago. Condition therefore plays a huge role, as do the specific players featured on any given card. Superstars like the rookies of Clemente, Robinson, Seaver, Brock and Banks consistently earn thousands even in lower grades due to significance. Ultra-rare short prints or errors can earn values exponentially higher according to Beckett and industry auction results. For other players, finding high grade examples is important to fetch four-figure prices or more. Overall, Ralston Purina cards defined an era of modern baseball collectibles and remains an engaging field for any vintage card enthusiast. Careful assembly of complete graded sets represent pinnacle trophies in the hobby even decades later.
