Baseball cards have been an iconic part of American culture since the late 19th century. While the baseball card industry was centered in larger cities like New York and Chicago for many decades, smaller communities across the country also developed their own rich baseball card histories. Bellingham, Washington is one such city where baseball cards found a devoted local following.
The earliest known baseball cards in Bellingham date back to the 1890s. As the popularity of baseball grew nationwide following the establishment of the modern Major Leagues in the late 1860s and 1870s, card manufacturers like Goodwin & Company began mass producing inexpensive cards as a way to promote the sport. Local general stores in Bellingham stocked these early baseball cards alongside other penny novelties and candies to attract young customers. While players on early cards represented major league teams from across the country, the cards themselves helped foster a newfound local interest in “America’s pastime.”
In the early 1900s, Bellingham was home to several semi-pro and amateur baseball teams. Local dailies like the Bellingham Herald would cover these teams’ games and provide box scores in their sports sections. This helped raise the profile of baseball in the community and increased demand for cards featuring the players. In the pre-World War I era, it was not uncommon for dedicated collectors in Bellingham to trade or purchase cards showcasing the stars of the day like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner.
The Great Depression hit Bellingham’s lumber and fishing industries hard in the 1930s, but baseball provided an affordable diversion for locals. The bleak economic times also led to a surge in the popularity of collecting penny cards and other inexpensive hobbies. Produced by the Goudey Gum Company and others during this period, 1930s-era baseball cards featuring legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig found their way into many Bellingham youths’ collections. Swapping and trading these vintage cards became a pastime for children and helped bring some levity to challenging times.
After World War II, the city saw renewed economic prosperity thanks to the growth of aluminum production. This post-war boom was reflected in Bellingham’s burgeoning youth baseball programs and card collecting scene. In the 1950s, the arrival of Topps and its color photograph baseball cards was a sensation. Bellingham card shops like Johnson Cards on Railroad Avenue stocked the newest Topps releases and organized trading events that were hugely popular community gatherings. Young card collectors in the city developed close-knit social circles centered around their hobby.
Topps continued to dominate the baseball card market through the 1960s and 70s. Its iconic designs and large rookie card releases featuring future stars like Reggie Jackson kept Bellingham collectors coming back for more. In the late 1970s, the rise of independent regional card manufacturers like Fleer and Donruss provided new options. However, Topps retained its strong brand identity, especially in the Pacific Northwest where its distribution network remained robust.
The 1980s saw Bellingham’s card collecting boom start to fade as the industry consolidated and other entertainment options proliferated. Dedicated collectors remained and new ones were still sparked by the allure of vintage cardboard. In 1984, the opening of What’s On Deck card shop on Lakeway Drive helped keep the hobby alive locally. Owners Steve and Linda Murphy made it their mission to cater to collectors of all ages and interests through events, supplies and a welcoming atmosphere.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the sports memorabilia craze and rise of online auction sites reinvigorated interest in vintage cards from Bellingham’s past. What’s On Deck continued serving the community while new local shops like Sports Card World sprang up to meet growing demand. Iconic rookie cards from the 1950s and 60s featuring local favorites like Harmon Killebrew regularly sold in the five-figure range. Today, Bellingham boasts an active collector base and card shows that celebrate the city’s long tradition with the hobby. Its rich baseball card history serves as a window into the pastimes and economic ups and downs of this Pacific Northwest community.
Bellingham developed a vibrant local baseball card culture that spanned over a century. From penny cards of the 1890s to high-dollar vintage auctions today, the city’s collectors have contributed to this American pop culture staple’s legacy. Even through periods of economic turmoil or industry shifts, baseball cards consistently provided an affordable form of entertainment and connection for Bellingham’s youth. Their history illustrates how a hobby can both reflect and help build community over generations.
