Aceo is a company that produces unique baseball cards featuring original artwork instead of photographs of players. Founded in 2018, Aceo seeks to breathe new creative life into the traditionally static baseball card collecting hobby.
While most baseball cards simply feature a photo of a player on the front with stats on the back, Aceo commissions artists to design completely original illustrations portraying players, teams, and moments from MLB history. By focusing on artistic expression rather than replication, Aceo aims to make each card a one-of-a-kind collectible prized not just for stats but also for its visual appeal.
Aceo’s inaugural 2018 season card set featured artwork depicting current MLB stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Mookie Betts. For each player, Aceo selected a different artist and gave them creative freedom to envision the player through a unique stylistic lens. The results ranged from retro pin-ups to anime-inspired portraits to vivid action scenes capturing iconic baseball moments.
Beyond just individual player cards, Aceo also produces cards illustrating entire teams, ballparks, and historical events. Their 2018 set included cards paying tribute to legendary franchises like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox as well as commemorating milestones such as the 100th anniversary of the World Series. For these types of cards, Aceo aims to conjure a sense of nostalgia and celebration through vivid artistic recreations.
In addition to standard trading cards, Aceo also releases limited edition premium art cards. These are larger in size, printed on higher quality card stock, and include extras like embossing, spot gloss UV coating, and signed authentication from the artist. Only a few hundred of each premium card are produced, making them highly coveted collector’s items. Some of the rarest premium cards from Aceo’s initial sets have sold for over $1000 each online.
For their 2019 season card set, Aceo expanded their roster of artists and subjects. New players featured included Ronald Acuña Jr., Christian Yelich, and Fernando Tatís Jr. representing MLB’s next generation of stars. The set also paid tribute to Negro League legends like Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Buck O’Neil through a series of cards illustrated in a vibrant zoot suit art deco aesthetic.
Aceo also worked with Native American artists in 2019 to produce a “Indigenous Icons” subset highlighting the contributions of baseball pioneers from tribal nations like Jim Thorpe and Louis Sockalexis. These cards brought much needed visibility to important but often overlooked figures in the early history of professional baseball. Their vivid designs fused traditional indigenous art styles with baseball iconography to powerful effect.
In addition to standard trading card packs available for purchase on their website and at card shops, Aceo has also partnered with Major League Baseball teams to produce special co-branded sets. For example, their 2019 “Los Angeles Dodgers Artifact” set included Dodgers-themed cards available exclusively at Dodger Stadium. Each card featured original artwork commissioned from local L.A. artists alongside team logos and colors.
Aceo has also produced one-of-a-kind commemorative art cards for special events. For the 90th anniversary of Wrigley Field in 2020, they commissioned a large format card celebrating the historic ballpark that was auctioned off for charity. That same year, they worked with Negro League Living Legend Bob Kendrick on a limited “Trailblazers” set honoring pioneers of the Negro Leagues and their impact on integrating Major League Baseball.
While most traditional card companies focus primarily on licensed MLB and player imagery, Aceo has successfully carved out a niche for itself by focusing on artistic creativity over replication. By commissioning new illustrations from diverse independent artists for each subject, they keep every card fresh and unique. Their growing roster of players, teams, and special releases have made Aceo art cards a popular alternative collecting category prized by both casual fans and serious hobbyists. As baseball card collecting continues to evolve, Aceo is helping to usher the hobby into a new era defined by original visual storytelling as much as stats and rosters.
