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TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS DUBUQUE

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Baseball card collecting has been a beloved American pastime for generations. Whether it’s chasing the chase of finding rare and valuable cards or assembling full sets of players and teams, few hobbies are as nostalgic or collectible as baseball cards. In the Tri-States area surrounding Dubuque, Iowa, two stores in particular have been mainstays for collectors far and wide – Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards.

Located just off Highway 20 in East Dubuque, Illinois, Tri-State Baseball Cards has been serving the Tri-State area since 1997. Owned and operated by the husband-wife team of Steve and Jackie Lensing, the 1,500 square foot store boasts an immense inventory of new and vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards as well as supplies for collectors. While their collection of newer products is vast with items stocked shortly after release, it’s their trove of vintage cardboard that truly sets them apart.

Walls of organized long boxes house their vintage collection, ranging from the earliest 1950s and 1960s issues up through the sport’s modern era in the 1990s and 2000s. “We have so much vintage here because we’ve been buying collections for 25 years now,” says Steve. “A lot of the early stuff you just don’t see in stores anymore but we’ve painted every box and cross-indexed everything so it’s easy for our customers to find what they’re looking for.” Whether it’s finding that missing piece to complete a vintage set or tracking down a card of a local hero, chances are if it exists, Tri-State has it or can find it for you.

While browsing their stacks is rewarded serendipity, the Lensings have also developed strong relationships with collectors locally and beyond. “Word of mouth is how we’ve grown,” says Jackie. “Collectors know that when they sell to us, their cards will be well cared for and enjoyed by others. It’s neat to see some stuff cycle back through.” When sellers consign large collections and teams to them, Steve enjoys the history hunt of sorting through every card. “You never know what you’ll find – sometimes it’s real treasure,” he smiles.

This treasure includes some truly one-of-a-kind rarities they’ve uncovered or had consigned over the years, such as a 1909-11 T206 tobacco card of Nap Lajoie in a grade so pristine it ranks among the finest known of its kind in the world. Other true beauties include gem mint examples of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays’ rookie cards from 1952 and several pre-war Honus Wagner cards. While most of these are part of their “wall of fame” not for sale, getting to admire such irreplaceable pieces of card history under glass is a thrill for any collector.

Of course, not all visiting collectors come seeking ultra-high-end pieces. Younger generations are also finding the hobby through Tri-State. “It’s so fun seeing whole families come in together – mom, dad, kids. The kids especially love looking at the old cards and thinking ‘that guy played back then?'” says Jackie. Seeing the multigenerational aspect of the hobby has been very gratifying for the couple. The Lensings do their best to welcome everyone with their friendly, small-town service. “At the end of the day, we’re just baseball card players having fun,” laughs Steve.

While Tri-State covers the entire Tri-States area with their mail order and their presence at card shows, Dubuque Sportscards reigns as the card hub of Dubuque proper. Owned and operated since 1989 by Kevin “Murf” Murphy and his wife Michele, their downtown shop at 265 Main Street is a sports memorabilia paradise. Upon entering the narrow store, collectors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling rows of long boxes and glass display cases featuring their immense new and vintage inventory.

Much like Tri-State, Sportscards has earned a premier reputation for their unparalleled vintage stock. “We’ve been at this for over 30 years so we’ve seen it all come through here,” Murf explains. Panning some of their sets showcases their treasures like 1919 and 1920 Cleveland Spiders teams, 1930 Goudey baseball mega sets, and 1954 Topps complete sets. They even have examples of some of the true rarities of rarities like 1933 Goudey Big League Chewing Gum cards still in their original factory wrappers. For collectors seeking key vintage rookies or complete vintage runs, Murf and his staff have a deep knowledge to help track items down.

While their vintage is world-class, Sportscards also prides themselves on having every new release as it hits the hobby. Walls of newly stocked products are organized by sport, ready to reinvigorate the collections of dedicated modern collectors. They work directly with all the major sports card manufacturers to ensure they get ample allocations of each hyped release too. Murf has also developed relationships with local dealers to always have a great local sports selection in stock as well.

Alongside their main inventory, Showcases hold an array of interesting signed memorabilia including game-worn jerseys, bats, helmets and photos. Personalized shelves around the store also display Murf’s own Hall of Fame collection of autographed items from baseball and football legends. On any given day, you never know who might be stopping in for a friendly chat with Dubuque’s most renowned sports memorabilia aficionado too.

Now in their third generation of passionate collectors, Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards will surely remain hubs for the hobby for years to come. While the internet changed some aspects of card collecting, their model of deep vintage stocks, knowledgeable service and small town charm has kept collectors coming back. For both new and experienced collectors across the Tri-States, these shops will continue fueling the fun of the card collecting experience for generations more. Whether it’s chasing stars of today or reliving memories of the game’s earliest eras, these beloved local institutions are sure to remain destinations that inspire discovery and nostalgia in sports enthusiasts of all ages.

BASEBALL CARDS DUBUQUE

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Baseball cards have been an iconic part of American culture for over a century. While the hobby took off nationally in the late 19th century, the history of baseball cards in Dubuque, Iowa dates back to the earliest days of the collecting craze. Dubuque has long had a special connection to the hobby through its local production of cards as well as the collectors who have flourished there over the decades.

Some of the first baseball cards produced in Dubuque came from the Dubuque Card Company in the 1890s. One of their early sets from 1891 featured stars like Cap Anson and Dan Brouthers. While production was small, these early Dubuque-made cards helped fuel the growing national interest in collecting players on card stock. They proved baseball cards could be a profitable product for local manufacturers.

In the early 20th century, two Dubuque companies really took baseball card production to another level – the Dubuque Cigarette & Tobacco Company and the Dubuque Collector Card Company. The Dubuque Cigarette & Tobacco Company included baseball cards in packs of cigarettes beginning in 1909. Their cards featured stars from both major leagues and helped turn collecting into a mainstream hobby. Meanwhile, the Dubuque Collector Card Company issued sets featuring only National League players from 1909-1911. These sets are now highly sought after by collectors.

As the decades progressed, Dubuque developed a vibrant baseball card collecting community. Local card shops like Dave’s Sportscards, which opened in 1960, fueled the growth of collectors. They stocked the latest releases and provided a place for collectors of all ages to trade, sell and discuss their collections. Dubuque also became home to some of the Midwest’s first large card shows, further exposing locals to the hobby. Major shows were held regularly in the city from the 1970s onward.

Two native Dubuquers went on to make major contributions to the hobby on a national level. Bill Mastro is considered one of the premier vintage baseball card authenticators and graders in the industry through his Mastro Net Auctions. Meanwhile, Jeff Sheldon authored seminal guidebooks and checklists that helped catalog sets from the early 20th century, including many of the rare Dubuque-issued cards. Both collectors got their start in Dubuque and remain passionate about preserving the city’s baseball card history.

In the modern era, Dubuque has seen the rise of prominent local collectors. John Sendelbach has amassed one of the finest private collections of Dubuque-issued tobacco cards in the country. His exhaustive research has provided new details about production timelines and variations. Meanwhile, Mike and Jenifer Lansing have become leading dealers of vintage cards through their company, Past Time Cards. They’ve worked to keep many rare Dubuque cards in the local collecting community.

Dubuque also hosts an annual National Baseball Card Day event that is a major attraction. Held each August at the Grand River Center, it brings in dealers, authenticators and thousands of collectors from across Iowa and Illinois. The free event features exhibits on baseball card history, an autograph area and opportunities to meet industry professionals. It helps connect both longtime and new collectors to the hobby.

While national companies produce today’s modern card sets, Dubuque’s history in the industry remains a point of local pride. Museums like the National Baseball Hall of Fame regularly display cards from those early Dubuque manufacturers. The story of how this small Iowa city contributed to the growth of America’s favorite collecting pastime will continue to be shared with collectors worldwide. Dubuque cementing its place in baseball card history ensures the hobby stays an important part of the community’s cultural fabric.

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS SHOWS DUBUQUE IA

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The Tri-State Area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin has long been a hotbed for baseball card collectors and traders. Nestled on the Mississippi River at the border of these three states lies the city of Dubuque, Iowa, which has developed into a hub for the hobby in the region. For decades, collecting shows catering to both casual fans and serious investors have been held in Dubuque, drawing collectors from a wide radius.

One of the longest-running and most prestigious shows is the Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, hosted each spring and fall at the Grand River Center. First established in the 1990s, the Dubuque Classic has grown into a major Midwest event that now spans two full days each season. Vendors come from across the Midwest, South, and beyond to set up tables and sell everything from vintage tobacco cards to complete modern sets. Show promoters estimate attendance has averaged 1,200-1,500 collectors per edition in recent years.

Local organizers credit the central location of Dubuque near the Illinois-Wisconsin borders as a major factor in the success of the Dubuque Classic and other shows. Being situated roughly halfway between the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and the Quad Cities allows collectors within a few hours’ drive to make it a destination trip. The city has adequate meeting space at the Grand River Center to host large numbers of vendors and shoppers under one roof. This convenience is appealing compared to shows that may be spread out over multiple hotels.

Beyond just the twice-annual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the local hobby scene remains active year-round. Multiple card shops in the area serve as the hub for collectors to trade, buy, and sell. Arguably the best-known is Sports Cards Plus, located near the intersection of Rhomberg Avenue and John F. Kennedy Road. Opened in the 1990s, Sports Cards Plus hosts weekly trading events that draw 50-100 collectors of all ages, as well as monthly regional TCG Player Championship Qualifiers. Owner Cory Niehaus has witnessed the sport’s rise in prominence and strives to create a welcoming environment. “It’s about more than the cards or games, it’s about the sense of community. We aim to preserve that,” he stated.

Niehaus and other local businesses play a prominent role in the planning of shows as well. Alongside advertising in hobby publications, word of mouth within the tight-knit Tri-State card scene has been pivotal in drawing crowds. When collecting experienced a downturn in popularity during the late 2000s, Niehaus credited local organizers for not giving up on the Dubuque shows and keeping interest alive until renewed momentum emerged. Today, many attending collectors of all ages fondly recall discovering the hobby through shops like Sports Cards Plus or early trips to shows as kids. This fosters loyalty and brings fans back time and again to trade with familiar faces.

Beyond baseball cards shows, Dubuque has shown signs of reviving in-person play for trading card and miniatures games as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Wyvern Gaming, located near Kennedy Mall, hosts events several nights per week where customers can battle in Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG, and Warhammer. With a comfortable play space and enthusiastic community, Wyvern aims to recreate the social aspect that was lost online. “The human connection is so important to why people enjoy these hobbies. Being able to high-five your friends after a cool play or get advice face-to-face can’t be replaced,” GM Ryan Wear stated.

On the competitive circuit, Dubuque has produced notable players over the years as well. Professional Magic: The Gathering player Jacob Wilson cut his teeth playing at local hobby shops and making the long drives to Grand Prix-caliber tournaments in nearby cities as a teen. He has since gone on to achieve a #1 ranking on Magic Online and over $100,000 in career winnings playing the game full-time. Meanwhile, Dubuque native Michael Schutte has become a household name in baseball card collecting circles, amassing seven-figure collections and frequently appearing as an expert on Discovery Channel programs.

Schutte remains actively involved in the local scene when time allows, often stopping by hobby shops or shows. He fondly remembers early experiences at the Green Meadows Mall card shop as a formative time learning the basic of the industry. “These local communities are so crucial for new collectors in discovering their passions and meeting people with like interests. I’m grateful for all the kind folks back in Dubuque who made collecting such a fun journey for me early on. It’s great to see the shows and shops there still bringing that experience to new generations,” Schutte said.

All signs point to the thriving Tri-State baseball card and gaming communities centering around Dubuque remaining sustainable well into the future. With multi-generational families still actively involved, dedicated local organizers, and iconic destinations like the biannual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the hub shows no signs of slowing down even as interests come and go within the broader industry. For collectors near and far, the friendly faces and welcoming atmosphere found in Dubuque shops and events promise to keep the hobby social and personal for years to come.

DUBUQUE BASEBALL CARDS

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The History of Dubuque Baseball Cards
Baseball cards have long been an iconic part of American culture and fandom. While many associate baseball cards primarily with the biggest brands like Topps and Bowman, the city of Dubuque, Iowa also played an important role in the early history of these collectibles. For over 50 years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dubuque was home to multiple companies that produced baseball cards sold across the country. These lesser known Dubuque brands helped popularize and standardize the modern baseball card at a pivotal time in the sport’s growth.

One of the first Dubuque companies to issue baseball cards was the Tobacco Card Company, which operated from around 1886 to 1891. Like most early card producers, they included baseball images as part of cigarette and tobacco packaging incentives. They also sold sets of baseball cards on their own. Featuring stars from the American Association and National League like Hugh Duffy and King Kelly, these pioneer Tobacco Card Company sets helped fuel the rising interest in collecting players’ photos during baseball’s formative years.

In 1890, the Allen & Ginter Company began producing some of the most elaborate and artistic baseball cards of the era from their Dubuque factory. Lavishly illustrated with embossed foil and intricate backgrounds, Allen & Ginter cards featured a wide array of sports and non-sports subjects. Their baseball cards from this period are now highly coveted by collectors. Players depicted included future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, Pud Galvin, and Amos Rusie. Allen & Ginter’s ornate card designs from Dubuque helped elevate baseball cards as a genuine collectible hobby.

The Hubinger Brothers Company operated in Dubuque from around 1893 to the early 1900s. They issued several series of baseball cards as premiums with other products like cigarettes and candy. Hubinger cards are notable for their colorful illustrated backgrounds and early use of action poses, with players depicted swinging bats or throwing. Stars of the 1890s like Kid Nichols and Jesse Burkett had their likenesses spread across the country in Hubinger Brothers sets produced in Dubuque.

In 1891, the Mayo Cut Plug Tobacco Company began using Dubuque as a manufacturing base. Over the next two decades, Mayo issued over a dozen series of baseball cards as incentives. Famous players featured included Nap Lajoie, Cy Young, and Honus Wagner. Mayo cards are notable for their consistency in size and design elements over many years of production in Dubuque. They helped standardize the modern baseball card format that would be solidified by the time the tobacco industry shifted to gum and candy premiums in the early 1900s.

The Dubuque Baseball Card Company had a short run making cards between 1899-1901, but issued high quality lithographed images of stars like Willie Keeler and Jack Chesbro. In the early 1900s, the Breisch-Wade Company and the G.H. Wade Company of Dubuque also produced several series of tobacco-era cards as premiums. Future Hall of Famers Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson had their rookie cards included in sets issued from Dubuque by these companies during the game’s deadball era.

The most famous Dubuque card producer was arguably the E-Z Cut Tobacco Company, which operated from around 1909 to 1915. Based in the city, E-Z Cut issued over a dozen series that helped define the transition from tobacco to the fledgling gum and candy card era. Their high quality 1911 and 1912 sets included the earliest cards for superstars like Shoeless Joe Jackson and Home Run Baker. E-Z Cut also issued some of the earliest cards featuring teams and managers rather than just individual players.

While the larger card companies eventually overshadowed local brands, Dubuque’s role in the early development of baseball cards should not be overlooked. For over 50 years starting in the 1880s, the city was a hub of the tobacco and confectionery industries that helped spread baseball fandom through collectible cards across the nation. Featuring top players of their eras and experimenting with new designs and formats, companies like Allen & Ginter, Mayo Cut Plug, Hubinger Brothers, and E-Z Cut helped establish baseball cards as a mainstream part of American popular culture during baseball’s formative years. Though lesser known than bigger national brands today, Dubuque’s local card companies were vital pioneers in the history of this beloved baseball collectible.

BASEBALL CARDS DUBUQUE IOWA

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Baseball cards have been an integral part of the sport for over a century, providing fans with memorable images of their favorite players while also serving as an affordable collectible. The history of baseball cards in Dubuque, Iowa reflects how the hobby took root and flourished in communities across America.

Some of the earliest baseball cards produced in the late 1800s featured stars from the National League like Cap Anson and Pud Galvin. It was the advent of tobacco companies like American Tobacco, Goodwin & Company, and Allen & Ginter starting in the 1880s that helped mass produce cards and insert them in cigarette and chewing tobacco packs. While the cards were initially used for promotional purposes, they soon developed a strong following among collectors.

Dubuque saw some of its first baseball cards arrive in the late 19th century as local stores and tobacconists began stocking brands that included cards in their packages. Figures like Anson, Galvin, and other NL standouts of that era were some of the first players that Dubuque youth collected and traded. The cards were an affordable diversion and helped generate interest in the growing sport.

In the early 1900s, tobacco companies like T206 White Border and Turkey Red issued some of the most iconic and valuable sets in card history. Featuring over 500 total players, these early 20th century issues contained stars like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner. As Dubuque grew into a larger city, more card products became available through its drugstores, cigar shops, and general stores. The intricate designs and color illustrations captured the imagination of local collectors.

A major boom for baseball cards in Dubuque arrived in the 1930s-1950s. Goudey, Play Ball, and Topps emerged as the dominant manufacturers, signing exclusive deals with players for the use of their names and likenesses on cards. Sets from this era like Goudey 1933, Play Ball 1939, and Topps 1952 are considered some of the most beautiful vintage issues ever made. Dubuque youth eagerly awaited the arrival of the new season’s cards at shops downtown like Frank’s Cigars and Weber Drug.

Trading and organizing cards became a popular pastime on the playgrounds and ballfields of Dubuque. Local card shows also started cropping up during this time, with collectors gathering at venues like the Dubuque Armory to buy, sell and trade with others. Figures like Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Jackie Robinson achieved a near mythical status among Dubuque fans who collected their colorful cardboard representations.

The 1960s saw Topps maintain its stranglehold on the baseball card market while also issuing the hugely popular Bazooka bubble gum cards. But it was the 1970s when the hobby truly exploded. Led by the arrival of the first autographed and rookie cards of stars like Reggie Jackson and George Brett, demand was at an all-time high. Dubuque card shops like Hawkeye Collectibles stayed busy supplying products and hosting trading events. National conventions also drew collectors from the area.

Upper Deck arrived in the late 1980s, breaking Topps’ monopoly and raising production values to near-work levels. Sets from this “golden age” period like 1987 Topps, 1989 Upper Deck, and 1991 Stadium Club featured sharp color photos and statistical information on the back. They captivated both casual and serious collectors in Dubuque. The city’s card shops also started organizing annual baseball card shows that attracted hundreds of vendors and attendees.

In the 1990s, brands experimented with innovative insert sets, parallel variations, and autograph/memorabilia cards that increased interest but also speculation. The sports memorabilia boom led to the proliferation of card and collectibles shops in Dubuque like Dugout Cards. Stores offered a social atmosphere for collectors to buy, sell and discuss the latest releases. The rise of the internet also allowed for easier trading between collectors worldwide.

While the baseball card market has contracted in recent decades due to overproduction and less packaging incentives, the hobby remains strong in Dubuque. Card shops still do brisk business in vintage reprints and high-end modern issues. Online groups also keep the local collecting community connected. Major shows still take place annually. As baseball itself faces challenges, its cardboard collectibles continue preserving history for generations of Dubuque fans. The story of baseball cards in the city reflects how a simple insertion grew into a treasured American pastime.