Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby and pastime for generations. From the late 19th century to today, kids and collectors alike have enjoyed amassing collections of their favorite players through these affordable pieces of memorabilia. While the industry has seen many changes over the decades, the passion remains for many. The city of London, Ontario has been home to a vibrant baseball card collecting community for decades.
London is located in Southwestern Ontario, about halfway between Toronto and Detroit. Baseball has deep roots in the area, with minor league teams dating back to the 1890s. Naturally, as the national pastime took hold locally, so too did the tradition of collecting baseball cards. Some of the earliest documented collectors in London emerged in the 1930s and 40s, amassing sets from brands like Goudey and Play Ball.
In the postwar era of the 1950s, London saw a boom in its baseball card collector population as the baby boom generation came of age. Iconic brands like Topps gained widespread popularity during this time. Local card shops and hobby stores helped fuel the frenzy. Places like Curly’s Cards and The Baseball Card Shop became institutionals hangouts for collectors of all ages to browse inventory, make trades, and discuss the latest players and sets.
The 1970s marked the golden age of baseball cards in London. Production values and print runs were at an all-time high, satisfying the growing demand. Skyrocketing populations of kids getting into the hobby led to an extreme sense of competition to obtain the latest and most coveted cards. London native Bob Smyth recalls the intense weekend rush to be first in line for new releases at local shops. Limited edition stars like Hank Aaron and Nolan Ryan rookie cards became highly sought after prizes.
As the 1980s dawned, London’s card collecting scene remained vibrant despite challenges to the industry. Overproduction led to a crash in values that discouraged some. Still, the allure of the pastime kept the community engaged. Notable shops like A&A Sportscards kept the hobby alive through this period. The arrival of high-grade preservation methods like plastic sleeves and holders protected investments and kept interest strong. Expos and memorabilia shows drew large crowds and fostered trading.
Into the 1990s and 2000s, London’s collectors embraced the revival and renaissance of the baseball card market. Iconic stars of the era like Ken Griffey Jr. and Cal Ripken Jr. produced some of the most valuable modern issues. The rise of the internet also allowed London collectors to easily buy, sell, and trade online with a massive new community. Sites like eBay provided access to out of print gems and filled holes in long sought after sets. London’s own sports card forum, SportsCardForum.ca, launched in the late 90s and remains an active virtual meeting place for collectors today.
Some of the most notable shops to emerge and thrive in London through the current era include Mike’s Sports World, Mike’s Sports Cards, and Sports Card World. These multi-generational businesses have maintained the social and retail infrastructure for the local hobby. Alongside online activity, their spacious brick and mortar locations provide collectors a fun place to peruse new releases, consign vintage collections, and conduct business. The shops also host annual sports card shows that bring collectors from across Ontario for a full day of trading.
London’s public libraries have also played an active role in supporting and preserving the area’s baseball card history. Archives contain collections donated by local collectors, documenting the evolution of sets, players, and the city’s involvement. Research assistance is provided to those tracing the origins and values of specific cards. Events are held celebrating baseball card culture and its impact on the community.
While the industry has certainly seen highs and lows, London, Ontario has proven to be a remarkably resilient hotbed of baseball card collecting. Multi-generational enthusiasm and the support of local businesses have helped sustain it as a treasured hobby and source of nostalgia. For over a century, collectors young and old have fostered connections and memories through accumulating, trading, and appreciating the cardboard history of America’s pastime in this Southwestern Ontario city. London’s impact on the baseball card world is deep, and its legacy will surely inspire new generations of fans to come.
