In 1993, Upper Deck Company shocked the sports card industry by obtaining permission to produce a series of baseball cards featuring members of the British House of Commons. Known as the House of Commons Baseball Card Series, this unusual release paid homage to America’s pastime by assigning baseball positions and attributes to sitting MPs, peers, and officials.
Despite initial skepticism, the series was a commercial success and helped introduce baseball card collecting to a new audience across the pond. Today, nearly 30 years later, the cards remain a novelty item prized by both Anglo-American politicians and sports memorabilia enthusiasts.
The idea for the series came from Upper Deck President Richard McWilliam, an Anglophile who had the idea to blend his love of British politics and American baseball. He believed MPs would enjoy the lighthearted comparison to ballplayers and thought collectors on both sides of the Atlantic would appreciate the cultural mashup.
McWilliam reached out to the Speaker’s Office and was granted permission to produce cards spotlighting 100 members from all parties who held seats in the 1993 Parliament. Each representative received a card stock photo with their name and position listed above. Behind was a back with key stats and factoids about their political career and personal life.
For the primary baseball position, cards creators relied upon public profiles and backbench rumors to assign roles. For example, Prime Minister John Major received a card as the “Pitcher” for his leadership skills. Firebrand rebel Tony Benn was dubbed the “Pinch Hitter” for his ability to rile up crowds. Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, known for thoughtfulness, became the “First Baseman.”
Secondary positions acknowledged other qualities. Benn also received the designation “Manager” to capture his knack for agitation. Environment Secretary John Gummer balanced “Third Baseman” with “Umpire” for his fair but firm approach. Cards even poked fun, labeling maverick Neil Kinnock “Left Fielder” in a nod to his unorthodox liberalism.
Statistics included on the backs included vote tallies, speeches delivered, words spoken in Parliament, biggest accomplishments, and personal trivia like hobbies or alma maters. This wealth of insider info proved a big draw for political junkies on both sides of the pond. Distribution was primarily through hobby stores in the UK, U.S., and Canada.
Initial reception exceeded expectations. Critics worried MPs might reject the frivolous comparison to sports or object to personal details being shared. But in reality, most representatives saw the humor and enthusiasm of collectors. Several even requested additional copies to keep or send home.
Buoyed by this response, Upper Deck sought and received permission to produce three follow-up series in subsequent years featuring new classes of MPs. Subsequent releases in 1995, 1997, and 1999 each showcased 100 freshly elected members of varying seniority and ideology. These later editions are considerably rarer finds for devoted collectors today.
While production ended after the 1999 series, the allure and cultural impact of the House of Commons Baseball Card Set lived on. Cards became prized novelties for Anglophile political junkies and an entry point for new collectors on both sides of the Atlantic. Representatives also came to see their cards as a quirky addition to their legacy and political memorabilia collections.
In the ensuing decades, cards took on additional appeal as valuables. With signed copies especially coveted. Cards of leaders like Major, Benn, Blair, and Cameron now trade hands for hundreds or even thousands depending on condition and authenticity of signatures. Key rookie cards also spike in demand, such as Theresa May’s 1995 card debut.
For dedicated collectors, one of the biggest thrills remains finding overlooked gems from backbenchers who went on to greater prominence. Discovering an unsigned 1993 card of a then-unknown junior minister like Boris Johnson or Rishi Sunak would be a huge score. Similarly, locating cards of now-famous firebrands like Jacob Rees-Mogg or Diane Abbott from their early parliamentary days greatly increase intrigue and worth.
While no new editions have been released in recent years, the House of Commons Baseball Card Series remains an acclaimed specialty niche. It successfully introduced baseball card collecting across the Atlantic while paying homage to British parliamentary democracy in a lighthearted way. For Anglophiles and politicos on both sides of the pond, the cards preserve a fun moment of cultural cross-pollination and continue appreciating in value as sought-after rarities.
