Introduction
Purina animal feed company produced baseball cards in their packaging from 1952 to 1967 as a marketing promotion. These early ‘non-sports’ cards helped grow interest in baseball collecting among children. While not as valuable as traditional sports issues of the time, Purina cards introduced many young fans to the players and statistics of the day. This article provides an in-depth look at the history and production of Purina baseball cards, how they were distributed, notable cards issued, and their legacy in the collecting hobby.
Background and Distribution
Purina animal feed began including small cardboard baseball cards in select product packages starting in 1952 as a way to reach a wider audience, particularly children. The cards were inserted randomly into bags of Chow, Puppy Chow, and other popular dog and cat foods. Distribution coincided with the baseball season running from roughly April through September each year. Purina produced cards sporadically through 1967 with some years issuing multiple series. In total around 15 different card sets were created featuring hundreds of individual player cards. At first the cards were small, about 2×3 inches in size. Later issues enlarged to typical sports card dimensions of about 2.5×3.5 inches to better showcase photography and stats.
While not considered traditional sports cards in the same realm as Topps, Bowman, or other major baseball brands of the 1950s and 60s, the Purina issues captured the baseball excitement of the time and drove further interest in collecting among kids. Finding a Purina card in your dog food was similar to pulling a pack of gum or candy with sports hobby additions. Cards acted as an additional bonus prize that could generate excitement for both pets and players. Distribution remained unorganized, however, with certain markets or products receiving card shipments over others. Still, the available numbers suggest millions of Purina cards found their way into homes.
Notable Card Sets, Issues & Features
Some of the standout Purina baseball card series, issues and notable highlights include:
1952: Generally considered the first Purina baseball card set printed. Featured 144 total cards focusing on the American League. Used small, non-sport dimensions.
1954: One of the larger issues with 252 total cards split between AL and NL. Included career stats and individual player photos.
1956: Highlighted retired players in history of the game cards as well as a multi-player action image card.
1958: Changed format to modern sports card size. Set totaled 264 cards between two series.
1960: Added rookie cards for future stars like Dick Allen and Tom Seaver. Also had Cubs’ Ernie Banks on the cover.
1962: Produced in two series with 288 cards combined. Included higher photographic quality.
1964: Issued in subsets with stat leaders, all-star rookies and team-by-team issues.
1965: Considered one of the scarcer issues at just 144 cards. Captured season in review concept.
1967: Last major set before discontinuing with over 300 cards between three series.
Purina did not use gum or candy with cards, instead distributing them at random in pet food bags similar to prize incentives. While production details were not shared publicly, estimates suggest print runs in the multi-millions cumulatively over the years. Early issues tended toward nostalgia themes while later highlighting stars of the day.
Collecting Purina Baseball Cards Today
Despite their dispersion in dog food rather than traditional card packs, the Purina baseball card issues of the 1950s and 60s gained nostalgic popularity with hobby collectors decades later. While never reaching the heights of mainstream trading cards of the same era, they still hold unique charm as a tie-in sports product distributed in an unexpected way. Their introduction of baseball to children and casual reminder of the game via pet foods gave the cards extended influence.
Modern collectors seek complete vintage Purina sets or key singles such as rookie cards. Desirable conditioned examples in higher grades can still command three-figure prices when available. While print runs were likely far larger than standard baseball card issues, they remain elusive finds today since few were kept long term compared to typical sport card saving. Retro appeal and the novelty of an unexpected extra in your dog’s chow give Purina cards fond remembering amongst both vintage collectors and baseball historians. As a curious footnote in the annals of baseball card manufacturing, they remain a talking piece to trigger 1950s sports nostalgia.
Conclusion
For over 15 years, Purina animal feed filled a unique niche by providing young baseball fans an unexpected bonus – baseball cards found randomly while feeding family pets. Capitalizing on booming postwar baseball interest, the feeding company introduced millions of American kids to their favorite players and stats through cards buried like prizes in bags of dog food. While not as collectible long term as standard sports cards, the Purina baseball card issues provide nostalgic charm and novelty as tokens of the vibrant baseball culture they promoted from the 1950s through late 1960s. Their dispersion through an unorthodox channel helped grow interest in the card collecting hobby for generations afterward. Even if kids never knew they would find baseball inside their dog’s dinner.
