Baseball cards have a long history in Murrieta dating back to the late 19th century. Some of the earliest documented baseball cards from Murrieta were produced in the 1880s as promotions for tobacco companies. These early tobacco cards featured iconic players from the time like Cap Anson and Pud Galvin. While most kids today collect cards for fun, the original purpose of these cards was to help sell more chewing tobacco and cigarettes.
The tobacco companies would include a free baseball card or two inside their tobacco products. This helped drive sales as kids wanted to collect full sets of players. Murrieta was still a small agricultural town in the late 1800s, but baseball had become quite popular there. Local general stores would stock the tobacco products that came with baseball cards, making Murrieta one of the earliest adopter communities for this new trend.
During the early 20th century, the mass production of baseball cards began in earnest. More sophisticated printing techniques allowed for colorful illustrated images on the cards rather than simple black and white photos. Murrieta kids were big collectors of these new baseball cards coming out of Chicago, New York, and other major production hubs. General stores saw how popular the cards were and started carrying full sets of the latest seasons.
In the 1920s, the first true “bubble” in the baseball card market emerged. Speculation ran high on rookie cards of up and coming stars. A local Murrieta kid actually struck it rich after pulling a rare Babe Ruth rookie card from a pack of cards. He sold the card, allowing him to pay for college. This helped spark the idea that cards could hold significant monetary value beyond just enjoyment of collecting.
The 1930s-50s are considered the “golden age” of baseball cards. Production and quality reached new heights. Murrieta had several card shops by this point that specialized in buying, selling, and trading cards. Kids would ride their bikes for miles to trade duplicate cards with others. The social aspect of collecting became just as important as amassing complete sets. Some of the iconic cards produced in this era included the 1933 Goudey Honus Wagner, one of the rarest in the world.
In the post-war 1950s, a new format called “tobaccoless” or “bubble gum” cards took over. Instead of coming in tobacco, cards were now included as prizes in wax bubble gum packs. Topps dominated production for decades. Murrieta kids could be seen trading and chewing gum on street corners and baseball fields. The local high school even started a baseball card club that was hugely popular.
The 1960s saw a boom in value for vintage cards as the post-war baby boom generation fueled demand. Murrieta had its first dedicated card shop open in 1962 called “Ace of Cards.” It became a popular weekend destination for collectors. By the late 1960s, the novelty began to wear off for some as production increased, harming scarcity and value.
The 1970s were a transition period. Many kids traded in their cards for rock albums and other fads. A smaller, more dedicated core of collectors remained committed in Murrieta. They banded together to start one of the earliest card shows in Southern California in 1976. Held annually, it helped spark a renewed interest in the hobby.
In the 1980s, speculation returned with a vengeance. Prominent Murrieta residents became known for spending thousands on rare vintage cards or ones featuring new stars like Ozzie Smith. The market soon crashed, leaving many investors with worthless inventory. It taught the importance of collecting for enjoyment rather than profits.
The 1990s saw an unprecedented boom in interest thanks to nostalgia and new technologies like the internet. Murrieta was at the forefront, with its card shop being among the first to sell rare inventory online. Prices soared for iconic rookie cards of stars like Ken Griffey Jr. The arrival of unlicensed producers also flooded the market.
Today, Murrieta has several large card shops and the annual card show remains a tradition. While the speculative booms and busts continue, most collectors focus on building complete sets, chasing parallels and memorabilia cards of their favorite new players. Vintage cards still command the highest prices, but new investments are made cautiously. Baseball cards have stood the test of time in Murrieta thanks to multi-generational fans. The hobby remains as popular as ever.
