The small city of Upland, California had an outsized impact on the early history of baseball cards in America. Located about 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Upland played a pivotal role in the transition of baseball cards from promotional items inserted in tobacco products to beloved collectibles.
The earliest baseball cards date back to the late 1800s when companies like Goodwin & Company and Allen & Ginter inserted illustrated cards featuring baseball players into packs of cigarettes as a marketing tactic. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that baseball cards truly took off in popularity. In 1909, the American Tobacco Company launched its T206 series, which is considered one of the most iconic sets in the history of the hobby. These highly collectible cards helped cement baseball cards as a mainstream pastime.
As the popularity of baseball cards grew throughout the 1910s and 1920s, local tobacco shops and candy stores in Upland began stocking packs for customers. Two entrepreneurs in particular, Harry and Marvin Myers, saw an opportunity to capitalize. In 1929, the brothers had the idea to open Upland’s first dedicated baseball card shop, called Myers Bros Cards. Located on 8th Street downtown, the small storefront became a hub for local collectors.
Myers Bros Cards sold loose packs of cards as well as wax packs containing multiple cards that could be purchased for a nickel. They also offered a selection of older cards available to purchase individually. The shop quickly became popular among the children and teenagers of Upland. On weekends, the sidewalk outside would be crowded with kids trading and discussing their newest acquisitions.
Inside the store, the Myers displayed cards in wooden cases lining the walls from floor to ceiling. They purchased inventory in bulk from the largest card manufacturers like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer to keep up with demand. By the late 1930s, Myers Bros Cards had grown to be the premier baseball card destination in the entire Inland Empire region encompassing Upland and surrounding towns.
As World War II strained supply chains, the brothers had to get creative to keep their shop stocked. They began directly corresponding with collectors across the country to purchase or trade for harder to find vintage cards. This allowed Myers Bros Cards to amass one of the finest archival collections in California during the 1940s, when many early 20th century cards were on the verge of being lost to history.
After the war ended, the golden age of baseball cards was just beginning. In 1948, Topps secured the exclusive rights to produce cards featuring active major leaguers, taking the hobby to new heights. At Myers Bros Cards, business was better than ever as collectors flocked to complete their Topps and Bowman sets each year. The shop became so renowned that players even began stopping in when their teams came to town to play the Dodgers or Angels.
By the late 1950s, Harry and Marvin Myers had turned their small Upland store into a veritable institution. They were mainstays at the National Sports Collectors Conventions held annually in Chicago, trading rare cards with dealers from across the country. The rise of discount chains and non-sport cards in the 1960s posed an existential threat to the specialized hobby shop model. After 40 groundbreaking years in business, Myers Bros Cards closed its doors for good in 1969.
While no longer in operation, the legacy of Myers Bros Cards lives on. Their pioneering spirit helped bring baseball cards into the mainstream at a pivotal time in their history. Today, the city of Upland pays tribute through a historical plaque outside the old storefront. And the vast collection amassed over four decades by the Myers brothers remains one of the most prized troves of early 20th century memorabilia in the collecting world. Though small, Upland left an outsized mark on America’s favorite pastime.
