Baseball ex cards are a unique and interesting collectible within the larger world of baseball memorabilia and cards. Ex cards, which is short for “exchange cards,” were produced from the late 1800s through the early 1900s and provide a fascinating window into the early years of professional baseball.
The origins of ex cards date back to the late 1800s. At this time, tobacco companies began inserting baseball cards into cigarette and tobacco packs as a promotional marketing tactic. These early cards helped popularize both the tobacco product and professional baseball. They were simply paper advertisements inserted loose in the packs. This made them prone to damage during distribution and collecting full sets presented challenges.
To address this, tobacco companies began producing sets of cards that were attached to thin cardboard backs, or “ex” cards, which made them more durable and easier to organize for collectors. The first true ex cards are believed to have been produced by the American Tobacco Company in 1886-1887. These featured individual players from the National League on the front and tobacco advertisements on the back.
The ex card format took off in the 1890s as the tobacco industry’s interest in baseball promotions increased. Companies like Allen & Ginter, Goodwin & Company, and Mayo Cut Plug began regularly inserting ex cards depicting stars from all the major leagues into their tobacco products. These early ex card sets helped popularize baseball cards as collectibles and memorabilia in their own right.
Some key characteristics defined the ex card era from the 1890s through the early 1900s. First, the cards primarily featured current players, not retired stars. This gave them an immediacy that enhanced their appeal. Second, the fronts of the cards usually depicted a single player in uniform along with their name and team. Backs often contained tobacco ads or baseball trivia. Third, the cards were printed using lithography, giving most an attractive, colorful appearance.
During their peak production period in the late 1890s and early 1900s, ex cards came in a wide variety of high-quality sets from numerous tobacco brands. Allen & Ginter issued beautifully detailed cards in 1891 and 1893 that are among the most coveted in the hobby today. In 1896, their portfolio included a whopping 792 different baseball ex cards. Other top issuers were Mayo Cut Plug (1898, 1899), Sweet Caporal (1897, 1899, 1900), and Goodwin & Company (1899).
As the early 20th century progressed, several factors began to impact ex cards. Consolidation in the tobacco industry led to fewer competing brands issuing sets. Collectors also started demanding cards of retired legends, which ex cards did not provide since they focused on contemporary players. New technologies like lithochrome printing allowed for color images on thicker card stock, paving the way for modern cardboard cards produced as standalone collectibles rather than tobacco incentives.
The last true ex card sets were issued in 1909 and 1910 by the American Tobacco Company, featuring players from that era. After this, the ex card era drew to a close, having established baseball cards as a mainstream collecting phenomenon. While production ended over a century ago, ex cards remain one of the most prized areas for dedicated baseball memorabilia collectors.
Top ex cards from the earliest era in the 1880s and 1890s routinely sell for tens of thousands of dollars or more in today’s market. Even common players from premium late 19th century sets can fetch thousands. Condition is critically important, as the thin cardboard backs were prone to damage over a century of handling. Finding high-grade examples in near-mint condition is extremely challenging.
For collectors, assembling a complete set from the peak ex card years between the 1890s and early 1900s presents an immense challenge that can take decades. The largest and most comprehensive ex card collections are owned by institutions like the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Still, dedicated collectors continuously search flea markets, antique stores, and auction houses hoping to find that one elusive card to further their set.
Beyond simply acquiring ex cards, enthusiasts also enjoy learning the histories and stories behind specific players and sets. Details emerge about how particular tobacco brands promoted their baseball cards or why player images changed between issues. Examining subtle differences in lithography and card stock types deepens collector appreciation. The ex card era leaves a rich legacy as the foundation for what became America’s favorite sport and most iconic collectible cards.
For those interested in starting an ex card collection, patience and persistence are key virtues. Budget-friendly options include acquiring common singles from the post-1890s era or piecing together partial sets. Attending regional or national sports collectible shows provides opportunities to browse dealer stock. Online group forums also enable discussions with other collectors. With care and some luck, it’s possible to build a meaningful ex card collection celebrating the early evolution of baseball.
Baseball ex cards were truly formative in the creation of baseball as both a national pastime and widespread collecting phenomenon. From their origins in the 1880s through the tobacco card boom of the late 1890s and early 1900s, ex cards captured the excitement of the growing professional game through vibrant lithographed images. While no longer produced, ex cards retain immense nostalgia, historical significance, and financial value – making them a treasured area of focus for dedicated baseball memorabilia collectors. Their legacy and rarity ensure ex cards will always have an important place in the colorful story of American baseball.
