Baseball Cards in Ankeny, Iowa: A History
Ankeny, Iowa has a long history with baseball cards dating back to the early 20th century. While the city was still small, baseball was already a beloved pastime and kids would trade and collect cards depicting their favorite players. Some of the earliest cards that made their way to Ankeny included ones from the iconic T206 set from the early 1910s featuring legends like Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson. As Ankeny grew over the decades, so too did the popularity of baseball cards among its youth.
By the 1930s and 1940s, many general stores in Ankeny’s downtown area like Johnson’s Corner Store and Wilson’s Five & Dime began stocking packets of gum and cards from companies like Goudey and Play Ball. Kids would eagerly await the arrival of the new shipments and trade eagerly with their friends at school. Star players of the era like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial were highly sought after. Stores would sometimes break up full sets and sell individual cards as well to encourage continued sales.
In the postwar 1950s, Ankeny saw tremendous residential and commercial growth as the town expanded. With it came a booming baseball card scene. The iconic 1952 Topps set featuring the debut of color photographs was an instant hit. Stores struggled to keep the cards in stock as kids snapped them up. The 1956 Topps set was also very popular, known for its fun cartoony illustrations of players by artist Norm Saunders. By this time, organized trading sessions were starting to take place at the local library and community center on weekends.
The 1960s represented the golden age of baseball cards in Ankeny. Topps ruled the market and produced iconic sets on an annual basis. The 1961 and 1969 Topps sets were particularly coveted among Ankeny collectors. But other companies like Fleer also entered the fray. The 1964 Fleer set introduced the modern size and shape for cards that is still used today. Kids in Ankeny would ride their bikes around the neighborhoods, knocking on doors to trade duplicates with their friends. Local card shops also started to emerge on Main Street.
In the 1970s, Ankeny’s card scene continued to thrive as the town’s population swelled. The 1973 Topps set is considered one of the most important of all-time due to the debut of a young phenomenon named George Brett. Local card shops like Hoobler’s Collectibles and Steve’s Sportscards became vital hubs where collectors would gather on weekends. The rise of special rookie cards for stars like Robin Yount also generated tremendous excitement. In the late 1970s, Ankeny saw the emergence of its first organized youth baseball leagues, further fueling the passion.
The 1980s represented the modern golden age of baseball cards in Ankeny. Topps remained the dominant force while Donruss and Fleer emerged as chief competitors. The rise of stars like Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens made for highly coveted rookie cards. The era also saw the birth of ultra-premium sets like Topps Traded and Fleer Update that included late-season player transactions. Ankeny’s card shops thrived and organized tournaments began taking place around prized vintage and rookie cards. The city’s first card show was also held in 1986.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the baseball card industry experienced major changes that impacted Ankeny collectors. The rise of autograph and memorabilia cards generated new excitement but also led to concerns about overproduction. The sport also became mired in the steroids scandal that dampened enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the internet and eBay transformed the trading process. Local card shops struggled to keep up and most closed their doors for good. But the passion remained among Ankeny’s longtime collectors. They formed close-knit online communities to trade and discuss the hobby.
Today, while the industry has declined significantly from its 1990s peak, baseball cards remain a cherished pastime for many in Ankeny. Local hobby shops have seen a resurgence in the 2010s by focusing more on vintage than new product. Yearly card shows continue to draw collectors. Meanwhile, the rise of online auction sites and social media has created new opportunities for Ankeny collectors of all ages to buy, sell and trade. And the vintage cardboard remains a treasured link to the city’s baseball rich history and memories of summers past. Baseball cards are forever cemented in Ankeny’s cultural fabric.