While the standard baseball card has always measured about 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches throughout its lengthy history, there have also been larger baseball cards produced that are considered oversized or jumbo compared to the familiar size found in packs. These larger formats have come in various shapes and sizes over the decades and have typically been premium items aimed at collectors looking for something outside the norm.
Some of the earliest examples of large baseball cards date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when tobacco companies would occasionally insert bigger lithographed cards as promotional items in cigars and cigarettes. Measuring around 5 inches tall, these extra large cards showcased popular players of the day in colorful designs. In the 1950s, Topps began experimenting with larger photographic cards called “Widevision” that were twice the width of a standard card at over 7 inches wide, though still the usual height.
The 1970s marked a boom in larger baseball card production as companies tried various innovations to attract collectors. Topps issued ” giants” in 1972 that measured 6 1/2 inches by 8 inches, showcasing full body shots of players. Around the same time, the lesser known Mammoth Cards brand produced cardboard cards reaching 10 inches tall featuring current stars. MLM also entered the scene with various oversized issues Photofacts and Team-Ups that were slightly taller than standard size.
In 1984, Topps raised the bar by introducing their largest flagship set yet with 7 1/2 inch by 11 inch “Super Baseball” cards that provided an incredibly large canvas for detailed action photos and statistics. This set helped spark a craze for even supersized issues that continued well into the 90s amidst the baseball card boom. A notable example was Donruss’ giant “Award Graphics” releases spanning multiple years showcasing retired legends in huge die-cut windows reaching 9 inches tall.
SkyBox branched out by marketing giant slab cards encased in thick plastic measuring 11 inches by 14 inches for standout rookie cards of rising stars such as Griffey Jr. and Piazza in the early 90s. Collector demand also led to tremendous “oddball” issues from short-lived companies like Photon and Pinnacle that cut genuinely oversized cards without standard dimensions solely for attention-grabbing novelty. Some experimented with box-style cards exceeding 12 inches tall and 20 inches wide containing hefty stats books on franchise records.
In the late 90s, manufacturers strived to outdo each other by pushing the boundaries of supersize. Providing the ultimate premium product, Topps produced their colossal 13 inch by 20 inch “Tomahawk” set celebrating 60 years of Topps baseball with lavish bronze-colored cards picturing past and present legends. Meanwhile, Upper Deck issued a landmark “Giant” issue in 1998 measuring a gargantuan 18 inches tall with large action shots and player bios for superstar rookies like Jeter and McGwire.
As the industry crashed alongside the baseball memorabilia bubble of the late 90s, large card production cooled off and modern issues have rarely matched the extremity of vintage supersizes. There is still demand for premium oversized items among dedicated collectors. In recent years, companies have issued large commemorative sets such as Topps’ “Tribute” cards stretching 12 inches long to pay homage to retired greats in high-end limited editions. Topps also unveiled their “Soto” project in 2021, producing two massive 24×36 inch framed display cards of budding superstar Juan Soto for true one-of-a-kind collectibles.
While standard size remains most practical for pack chasing and affordability, oversized baseball cards retain an appeal all their own by offering an expansive canvas to appreciate key players and moments on a grand scale. Serving as statement pieces for dedicated fans, these supersized premium offerings maintain significance as embellished tributes capturing legends enshrined in their largest cardboard form. As with any niche collecting segment, dedication and financial commitment separates these huge specimens as unique prized possessions within collections.
