Baseball cards have a long history in Danville, California dating back to the early 20th century. Some of the earliest baseball cards produced featured players from the Pacific Coast League, one of the top minor leagues at the time with teams throughout California. While Danville itself did not have a professional baseball team, the sport was hugely popular in the region and collecting cards of PCL stars became a favorite pastime for many local children.
One of the earliest documented collections of baseball cards in Danville belonged to William “Billy” Johnson who was born in 1902. As a young boy growing up in Danville in the 1910s, Billy amassed a sizable collection by trading extras with his friends and occasionally purchasing packs at the local general store. His most prized possessions were cards depicting the San Francisco Seals players from the early 1910s like pitcher Charles “Chief” Meyers and outfielder George “Zip” Zinn.
In the following decades, baseball card collecting grew exponentially across America thanks to increased production and affordable mass-produced packs. Brands like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer released new sets year after year featuring both major and minor league players. In Danville, shops like McCauley’s Five and Dime and Danville Drug offered the latest packs on their shelves, keeping local kids stocked with the cards of their favorite PCL heroes.
One of the most iconic Danville baseball card collections belonged to Harold “Whitey” Thompson, who amassed a staggering hoard of over 100,000 cards between the 1930s-1950s, primarily focusing on Pacific Coast League stars. Whitey was known throughout the area as the go-to source for help identifying and valuing cards, and even ran a part-time business buying and selling duplicates from his collection. To this day, the “Whitey Thompson Collection” remains one of the most complete PCL card archives in existence.
During the 1950s, the popularity of baseball cards in Danville hit new heights as the hobby exploded across America. Stores struggled to keep packs in stock while the local youth traded ferociously on the playground. Sets from Topps, Bowman, and new brands like Fleer and Red Heart featured both major and minor leaguers. Kids in Danville collected stars like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron but also rooted for their hometown Oakland Oaks players showcased on cardboard.
As Danville and the surrounding East Bay continued to grow in the following decades, the area emerged as a hotbed for baseball card collecting. Stores like Danville Cards & Comics opened in the 1960s, catering exclusively to the growing hobby. Regional shows sprang up, drawing collectors from across Northern California eager to trade, sell, and buy. Danville residents amassed giant collections of stars from the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s, and Sacramento Solons.
In the 1970s, the rise of the hobby’s “Golden Age” saw new non-sport brands like Star Wars, Marvel, and Garbage Pail Kids join the card aisles. Meanwhile, the explosion of premium and oddball issues from niche independent companies catered to even the most discerning collectors. Danville’s collectors pursued complete rainbow sets, rare variants, and autographed memorabilia cards with zeal. The rise of Beckett Price Guides also fueled a boom in card values which grew the hobby’s popularity and size.
By the 1980s and 90s, Danville had emerged as a bonafide hotbed for the baseball card collecting community. Major national and regional shows were held regularly in the area, drawing tens of thousands of eager collectors. Stores like Great American, Sportscard Shop, and B&L Sports Cards thrived by catering to the burgeoning local scene. Meanwhile, the card-collecting youth of Danville grew into adults who passed down their passion, sparking new generations of fans.
Today, baseball card collecting remains deeply ingrained in Danville’s culture and history. Local shops continue to stock the latest releases while regional shows are always well-attended. Meanwhile, the Danville Area Sports Hall of Fame has begun inducting legendary local collectors and preserving their collections for posterity. From the early 20th century to today, Danville has played an integral role in fostering Northern California’s vibrant baseball card collecting community. Its rich history and passionate fanbase will ensure the hobby remains a cherished pastime for years to come.
