Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over a century and the hobby of collecting complete sets, or checklists, of cards from a given year or series is extremely popular. Building a complete checklist can be a rewarding challenge that requires time, effort, and often a sizable investment depending on the scarcity of certain cards.
Some of the earliest baseball cards were issued in the late 1800s as promotional inserts in cigarette and candy packs. It was not until the early 20th century that the modern baseball card began to take shape as dedicated card issues from companies like American Caramel, American Tobacco, and Goodwin & Company started featuring individual player portraits on the front with biographical information on the back.
One of the earliest checklists collectors sought to complete was the 1909-1911 T206 set, considered one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. The 511-card T206 set showcased stars from all 16 major league teams at the time. Notable subsets within the set included the famous “white border” cards that are among the most valuable in the hobby today. Completing this massive early 20th century checklist was a true achievement before modern guides and online checklists made it easier to track down cards.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the most popular sets to collect were produced by Goudey, Play Ball, and Leaf. These issues helped grow the popularity of the hobby during the Golden Age of baseball. The 1933 Goudey checklist contained only 81 cards but featured some of the first action shots of players. The 1941 Play Ball set had clear gum in the packaging and a patriotic World War 2 theme on many of the 168 cards. Building a full Leaf checklist from any of the 1940s issues was also a fun challenge for collectors of the time.
The 1950s saw the rise of the modern baseball card era as companies like Topps and Bowman started mass producing colorful cards as the hobby boomed with America’s pastime. The 1952 Topps set had a straightforward checklist of 382 cards that became the standard for collectors to follow at the time. Bowman also issued sets in 1949, 1950, and 1951 that had very attainable checklists of under 300 cards each. This made it possible for many young collectors to complete their first sets.
In the 1960s, Topps was king and their annual issues had checklists ranging from 520 cards in 1962 up to 660 cards in 1969. Notable subsets included the 1968 Topps high numbers cards that went beyond the base checklist. The 1969 Topps set featured player photos on the front for the first time. Collectors could also chase checklists from the annual Bowman, Post, and Fleer issues of the decade.
The 1970s saw the rise of several new competitors to Topps like Donruss, Kellogg’s, and TCMA. The 1972 Topps set had an intimidating checklist of 656 cards. Completing the 1975 SSPC checklist of only 144 cards was more realistic for collectors. In the late 70s, oddball issues from companies like Producer’s Guild and Pac-Man cards captured collector’s attention.
In the 1980s, the Fleer checklist became hugely popular as it featured a new glossy photo style. The 1984 Topps set had an epic checklist of 792 cards that included parallel and oddball inserts. Collector’s also chased subsets like the 1987 Topps Traded checklist of players moved midseason. Score brand debuted in 1989 with innovative on-card photos.
The modern era of the 1990s made completing full manufacturer checklists more difficult due to inserts, parallels, autographs, and serial-numbered cards. But collectors still pursued the standard Topps, Fleer, and Stadium Club checklists each year. The 1993 Upper Deck set contained an industry record 792 cards. Expansion in the late 90s also increased checklist totals industry-wide.
In the 2000s and beyond, online checklists and trading made completing full sets from the dozens of annual issues more manageable. Memorabilia cards inserted in packs added to the hunt. Digital platforms also allowed collectors to track virtual checklists. High-end products from companies like Bowman Chrome and Topps Finest featured short checklist subsets.
While building complete checklists will always be a fun challenge for collectors, the modern era has made tracking sets easier than ever before. Apps, online communities, and a wealth of checklists allow hobbyists to pursue their favorite players and teams across decades of cardboard. For dedicated collectors, nothing is more satisfying than filling in that last spot on a coveted baseball card checklist.
