The history of baseball cards in Redding, California stretches back over 100 years. While baseball cards first emerged on a national scale in the late 1880s as promotions for chewing gum and cigarette companies, it took some time for the hobby to catch on in Redding. Some of the earliest baseball cards that made their way to Redding included those issued by cigarette brands like Mayo Cut Plug and Sweet Caporal in the 1890s. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that baseball cards really began circulating in the Redding area.
In the 1910s and 1920s, the most popular baseball cards available in Redding were issued by companies like American Caramel, Indian Head, and T206 White Border tobacco cards. Local general stores and corner markets would stock packs of cards as a way to promote their gum, candy, and tobacco products. Kids in Redding eagerly collected and traded these early cardboard issues, featuring stars from the deadball era like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Grover Cleveland Alexander. Some of the first organized baseball card shows and conventions in Redding date back to the late 1920s as well, showing the growing local interest in accruing complete sets.
The 1930s through the 1950s represented the golden age of baseball cards in Redding. More children were able to participate in the hobby thanks to mass-produced cardboard issues from companies like Goudey, Play Ball, and Topps. Local drugstores and five-and-dime shops stocked wax packs by the case to meet demand. Kids would crowd around local ballfields on weekends, eagerly trading duplicates to finish their sets of stars like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial. It became a beloved pastime for many Redding-area youth during this era. Some early Redding collectors amassed complete runs of 1930s Goudey Baseball Immortals and 1951 Bowman sets during this time.
In the postwar 1950s, the baseball card market in Redding really took off. Topps secured the exclusive rights to produce modern cardboard and cranked out affordable packs annually. Their innovative design and the photorealism of the images captivated a new generation of Redding collectors. The 1954 and 1955 Topps sets featuring rookie cards of Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax are still considered some of the most coveted in the history of the hobby. Meanwhile, the rise of Little League Baseball and youth leagues in Redding spurred many kids to complete their first sets during this golden era.
The 1960s represented the peak of the baseball card boom in Redding. Topps issued larger and more visually appealing designs each year to meet demand. Their 1966 and 1969 issues are still fan favorites. Meanwhile, the first Redding Card Show was held in 1963, bringing collectors together from across Northern California to buy, sell, and trade. Local card shops like George’s Sportscards opened to cater to the hobby. Some of the first Redding-area collectors to amass complete runs of 1960s Topps, Fleer, and Post sets emerged during this decade as well. Stars of the era like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Tom Seaver were the most popular subjects.
The 1970s marked a transitional period for baseball cards in Redding. The anti-trust lawsuit Topps faced allowed new competitors like Fleer and Donruss into the market in 1975. This created a collector’s paradise of variety for Redding hobbyists but also diluted the market. Meanwhile, the decline of the sport’s popularity in the late 1970s saw interest in cards wane a bit as well. Still, dedicated Redding collectors worked on mastering sets from the new companies and completing runs of 1970s greats like Reggie Jackson and Mike Schmidt. The first unopened wax box collections also emerged during this decade.
In the 1980s, the baseball card market in Redding rebounded thanks to a new generation of young collectors. Stars of the era like Ryne Sandberg, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens drew kids back to the hobby. Expos, Cubs, and A’s teams of the era were especially popular subjects among Redding collectors. The rise of card shows, conventions, and Redding-area shops like North State Sports Cards fueled interest. The discovery of pristine early 20th century T206 and 1914 Baltimore Terrapins cards in local attics in the mid-1980s also excited the local hobby scene. Values grew rapidly during the boom years of the late 1980s.
The modern baseball card era in Redding arrived in the 1990s and 2000s. Insert cards, parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards expanded the options for collectors. Redding saw the rise of its first dedicated card shop, Top Shelf Sports Cards, which hosted signings and special releases. The boom in values of rookie cards of Griffey, Piazza, and Jeter drew in new collectors. Meanwhile, the Internet allowed Redding hobbyists to learn, trade, and stay on top of the exploding market. Sites like Beckett helped appraise local collections and fueled the rise of today’s mega-collections in the area.
In the 2010s-present, the baseball card market in Redding has remained strong despite the rise of digital cards. Local shows still draw hundreds while dedicated hobby shops serve collectors. Stars of the present like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Fernando Tatis Jr. are popular subjects. Meanwhile, the rise of online communities has connected Redding collectors with others worldwide. Vintage Redding collections from the early 20th century have realized six-figure prices at national auctions as well. The future remains bright for the rich history of baseball cards in Redding, California.
