Baseball cards were first introduced in the late 1880s as a promotional item included in cigarette packs and candy to help advertise tobacco and confectionery brands. Throughout the early 1900s, baseball cards grew in popularity as a fun collectible for kids and a way for companies to market their products. By 1917, the hobby of baseball card collecting was in full swing.
In 1917, several tobacco companies issued sets of baseball cards as inserts in their cigarette packs. These included iconic brands such as T206 White Border, E90-1 Sweet Caporal, and M101-7 Murad Turkish Tipped. While the specific players and designs varied between sets, they shared the common goal of promoting the tobacco product they were packaged with. For collectors today, cards from 1917 are highly sought after and can fetch high prices depending on the set, player, and condition of the card.
The most famous and valuable set from 1917 is the T206 White Border issue by American Tobacco Company. This set featured over 500 different baseball players across multiple series printed from 1909 to 1911. Some of the most notable stars included in the T206 set are Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. In top mint condition, rare and desirable T206 cards can sell for well over $100,000. Most examples that survive from 1917 would grade in only fair to good condition due to the fragility of the paper stock and effects of aging. For a common T206 player in average condition, prices typically range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the specific name.
Another prominent 1917 issue was the E90-1 Sweet Caporal set distributed by Philipp Morris & Co. This set featured 228 different players across the American and National Leagues. Top stars of the day like Home Run Baker, Eddie Collins, and Grover Cleveland Alexander were included in vivid color portraits. In compared to the T206 set, E90-1 cards are more abundant but can still fetch high prices for rare and sought-after players. Common examples in average condition typically sell in the $200 to $1,000 range. A rare reverse back variation of the E90-1 card for Nap Lajoie has been known to sell for over $20,000 in top condition.
The M101-7 Murad Turkish Tipped issue from 1917 is considered one of the most visually appealing and artistically designed sets of the era. Produced by P. Lorillard Co., the cards featured individual player portraits watermarked directly onto the cigarette pack. Some of the biggest stars featured included Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, and Tris Speaker. Due to the fragile and unique nature of being watermarked directly onto cigarette packaging, very few high grade M101-7 cards still exist today. Even in fair condition, a common M101-7 card can sell for $300-$1,000. Key rare and sought-after examples can reach the $5,000+ range.
In addition to the three major tobacco issues, several smaller baseball card sets were also released in 1917. One such set was the B9 Orange Smash Gum issue distributed by Bubblicious Gum Co. This set included 84 total cards with players from both the American and National Leagues. While far scarcer than the tobacco releases, high grade examples of key stars from the B9 set like Home Run Baker and Eddie Collins can still attract prices of $500-$2,000 on the collector market.
By 1917, the hobby of baseball card collecting was blossoming. Kids eagerly opened packs of cigarettes and gum hoping to find their favorite players. Meanwhile, tobacco companies effectively used the cards as promotional vehicles. The surviving 1917 issues remain hugely popular with collectors today over 100 years later due to their historical significance, vivid graphics, and iconic players featured. While rarer and higher graded examples fetch 5 and 6 figure prices, more common 1917 cards can still be found in collectible condition for $200-$5,000 depending on set, player, and specific card quality – making them an attainable goal for many vintage baseball card enthusiasts.