Baseball cards were first introduced in the late 1880s as promotional inserts included with cigarette packs and other tobacco products. While the earliest baseball cards from the 1880s are extremely rare, cards produced in the 1890s provide a fascinating look at the early years of professional baseball and the stars of that era. With the growing popularity of the relatively new professional baseball leagues, companies saw baseball cards as a way to promote their brands while capitalizing on America’s national pastime.
Understanding the value and demand for 1890s baseball cards requires examining the state of the sport during that decade. The National League was established in 1876 and emerged as the premier professional baseball league by the 1890s. Meanwhile, the upstart Players’ League operated for only the 1890 season in an attempt to compete with the NL before folding. The American Association, a rival major league to the NL in the 1880s, also ceased operations after the 1891 season. This left the NL as essentially the only major show in town heading into the mid-1890s.
Some of the most iconic and valuable 1890s baseball cards depict stars from this era when the NL was solidifying its dominance, including future Hall of Famers like Cy Young, Roger Connor, Kid Nichols, and Billy Hamilton. Young, in particular, is one of the most sought-after players from this decade. As one of the first true “aces” in baseball history who enjoyed a career spanning from 1890 to 1911, his cards are highly coveted by collectors.
When examining pricing and demand for 1890s baseball cards, a few key factors must be considered:
Age and condition of the card: Like with any collectible, the older and more worn a card is, the less valuable it tends to be. Near mint or better condition cards from the 1890s can be extremely rare and valuable.
Prominence of the player depicted: Cards showing star players of the 1890s like Young, Connor, Nichols, and Hamilton will understandably be worth more than lesser known players. Superstar cards in top condition can sell for tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Brand and manufacturer of the original product: Certain tobacco brands like Allen & Ginter, Old Judge, and Goodwin are more widely collected than others. Their baseball cards tend to have stronger demand in the marketplace.
Completeness: Singles or isolated cards are more common than fully intact sets. Finding a complete set in top condition from the 1890s would be an incredible find worth six figures or more.
With those factors in mind, here is a general price guide for some of the most sought-after 1890s baseball cards in various conditions:
Cy Young, 1891 N172 Old Judge – Near Mint/Mint condition: $15,000-$25,000
Roger Connor, 1891 Allen & Ginter – Very Good/Fine condition: $3,000-$5,000
Kid Nichols, 1894 N171 Old Judge – Fine/Very Good condition: $2,000-$4,000
Billy Hamilton, 1894 Goodwin Champions – Fine condition: $1,500-3,000
Ed Delahanty, 1889 Allen & Ginter – Very Good condition: $1,000-$2,000
Buck Ewing, 1891 Mayo’s Cut Plug – Good condition: $500-$1,000
Amos Rusie, 1894 Mayo’s Cut Plug – Poor condition: $200-500
Lesser known player, c. 1890s – Any condition: $100-$300
As you can see, condition is absolutely critical when determining value for these early cardboard pieces of history. Even relatively common players can still command four-figure prices depending on the card and its condition. The rarest stars like Young in top shape break the five-figure barrier easily. For the savvy collector, 1890s baseball cards can provide a tangible link to the earliest days of professional baseball in America. Their prices reflect both baseball’s history and the ever-growing community of collectors who celebrate the game’s past.
