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TOPPS ALLEN AND GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards are among the most unique and sought-after products in the modern baseball card industry. Allen & Ginter was a tobacco company that produced notable cigarette cards featuring people, places, and things from late 19th century America between 1886-1891. Topps acquired the rights to the Allen & Ginter brand name in 2010 and has since produced annual baseball card sets with a distinct historical and non-sport theme paying homage to the original tobacco cards.

Allen & Ginter baseball cards have become coveted by collectors for their original concept, premium production quality, and inclusion of relic cards containing pieces of actual historic documents. While they don’t feature the star players or statistical information of Topps flagship baseball sets, A&G cards embrace the hobby’s collecting roots by combining baseball with diverse topics from American popular culture, science, and history. They have gained a cult following among those who appreciate their unique aesthetic departing from traditional sports card designs.

The first Topps Allen & Ginter baseball card set was released in 2011 containing 132 total cards with Subjects including Baseball Pioneers, Baseball Firsts, Baseball Milestones, Baseball Equipment, Baseball Terminology, Baseball in Movies & TV, Baseball Slang, and even Space Exploration. Subsequent A&G sets in 2012-2021 have expanded to include over 250 total cards and additional themes like exploration, inventions, Americana, entertainment, and portraits. Each year’s crop of cards feature dynamically illustrated designs paired with educational back copy write-ups.

Perhaps the most distinctive element of Topps Allen & Ginter are the Premier Level relic cards that contain historical memorabilia. These prized inserts have included pieces of paper from The Declaration of Independence, The Star-Spangled Banner, an original Wild West Wanted Poster, a 1776 Newspaper, a handwritten letter by Albert Einstein, and fragments from a John Hancock signature – to name just a few. Relic cards often have print runs in the single digits, making them incredibly scarce and valuable collectors items.

In addition to the base cards and relic inserts, Topps Allen & Ginter boxes and packs contain several other highly-coveted parallel and short print variations. Rainbow Foil parallels feature holographic foiltreatment. Photogenic parallels recreate historic black and white photos in full color. Golden Moments parallels highlight important baseball achievements in gilded designs. Sepia parallel cards transform illustrations into an aged border and tint. There are also 1/1 Topographical Map card sketches unique to each individual cartographer.

Each year Topps Allen & Ginter releases special collaborations with companies like Star Wars, Marvel, NBA Hoops, National Parks, and Nintendo. These specialty inserts transport non-sports themes into the world of A&G cards. In 2021 there were even crossover cards merging baseball players into the worlds of Harry Potter and Stranger Things in innovative designs. Box loaders and team packs are also available containing insert sets dedicated to specific franchises or sports beyond baseball.

As demand rises annually for the innovative product, Topps has had to limit retail distribution of Allen & Ginter. Most boxes and blasters are now only available through specialty card shops, online breaks, and a national lottery system for hobby box pre-sales. This scarcity has helped drive up values for stars rookies, parallels, hits, and even basic base cards over time. Graded Allen & Ginter relics routinely sell at auction for thousands of dollars apiece. The set is beloved by all ages and genders of collectors drawn to the unique combination of history, art, and family-friendly themes.

For these reasons, Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards have cemented themselves as one of the most innovative and valuable modern card sets to this day. They’ve reintroduced discovery, education, and fun back to the hobby by blending baseball with off-the-field topics. Whether being collected for enjoyment or long-term investment, A&G’s provide a refreshing alternative to the standard sports card product and continue paying homage to the storied tradition of the original tobacco era cards from over 130 years ago. Their distinctive union of baseball, history, and creative design has undoubtedly revolutionized the modern collectibles industry.

2022 TOPPS ALLEN GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2022 edition of Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards was released in late summer of 2022. As with previous years, this unique card set featured a mix of baseball players alongside characters and artwork from outside of the sport. After taking a one-year hiatus in 2021, baseball fans were thrilled that Topps brought back the beloved Allen & Ginter brand for another run.

Some key things to know about the 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter set include the total card count, checklists of players and non-sports inserts, design variations, parallels and short prints, as well as how the hobby received and reacted to the new release. The base card set totaled 324 cards after Topps increased the count from previous years that were around 300 cards. In addition to current MLB stars, the checklist also included retired greats and notable rookie cards.

On the non-sports side of things, 2022 Allen & Ginter saw returns of familiar insert sets like Mystic, Cryptozoo Creatures, National Parks, Landmarks, and more. Topps also introduced some new non-baseball themes such as Movie posters, Board games & Toys, Pop Culture Icons, Landmarks of the World, and Vintage Ads. These creative insert sets are always a highlight for collectors seeking unique cardboard outside of the typical baseball fare.

Visually, the 2022 design paid homage to classic Allen & Ginter aesthetic cues while also feeling fresh. The oversized logo and team logo patch in the lower right helped tie each card back to the corresponding player. Background colors and textures reproduced the vintage vibe fans expect. Parallels included the popular Green /150, Green Foil /25, and Atomic Refractor /10. Short prints and hit list cards further boosted the allure of certain key figures.

Upon release, reaction to 2022 Allen & Ginter showed why it remains such a polarizing set. While diehard collectors welcomed back this special yearly tradition with open arms, the lofty prices of certain highly sought-after cards dampened enthusiasm for some. Blasters and hobby boxes carried MSRPs of $80-150, putting pressure on wallet-watching fans. True A&G supporters argue it stands apart with memorable content not found elsewhere.

The true test of any modern release lies not just in initial excitement but long-term collector demand. Early indications suggested 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter had plenty of breakout stars. Rookies like Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Strider, and Adley Rutschman found eager buyer interest. Vintage cards of guys like Ted Williams, Cy Young, and Babe Ruth always hold value. And creative non-baseball inserts such as Black Panther, Friends, and Futurama inserts piqued pop culture collectors.

The checklist breakdown showed solid representation across all 30 MLB clubs for fans to chase players from their favorite teams. Stars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Aaron Judge anchored the high-profile inclusion list. Autograph and memorabilia card short prints added coveted chase cards to parallel the base checklist. Rosters also included promising young talents who went on to have big second halves like Michael Harris II and Oneil Cruz.

Another deciding factor for the longevity of any wax product comes down to the strength and stability of its resale market. By that measure, 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter showed early promise. eBay auction sales data reflected solid initial demand across all levels of the set. Common base rookies and parallels found new homes. Insert cards pulled interest from collectors cross-collecting themes. And higher-end memorabilia and autograph cards garnered bids well above pack odds value. It served as an encouraging sign that Allen & Ginter maintains relevance in today’s bustling collecting landscape.

While 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter may not have been for every fans’ budget, those who dug into boxes walked away with a truly unique stack of baseball, entertainment and culture. The vintage appeal, extensive photo and insert variety, and early secondary market demand bode well for the set retaining collector cachet for years to come. The return to form suggests Allen & Ginter’s special brand of creativity has staying power and remains a yearly highlight that sports card aficionados anticipate. With strong roots dating back over a century, this special series has passed the test of time and still brings something different to today’s collectors.

2007 ALLEN GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2007 edition of the Allen & Ginter baseball card set was one of the more unique MLB releases of the 2000s due to its retro artwork designs, varied insert sets, and inclusion of non-baseball subjects. Produced by Topps, the set paid homage to the original Allen & Ginter cigarette card issues from the late 19th century by featuring unusual graphics and subjects not seen in modern baseball releases.

Containing a total of 132 base cards, the 2007 Allen & Ginter set featured all 30 MLB teams from that season. The artistic designs chosen for the player images were a far cry from standard posed photography seen in most modern sets. Instead, the cards had a whimsical, vintage quality to them inspired by the antique tobacco card designs of the 1880s-1890s. Some players were depicted in action shots while others had simple headshot portraits. But all had a hand-drawn, illustrated appearance that gave them a nostalgic charm. In addition to player cards, the set included 15 manager/coach cards with similar retro artwork.

While the base cards focused strictly on baseball, a wide array of non-sports related inserts was another defining part of the 2007 Allen & Ginter release. Ranging from historical figures to pop culture icons to flora and fauna, these inserts truly took collectors down memory lane. Some of the more notable subject matters included actors, authors, musicians, landmarks, scientists, animals, insects, and more. A few examples were cards dedicated to Albert Einstein, John Lennon, Mount Rushmore, the Liberty Bell, the bald eagle, the Great White shark, and the ladybug. Like the baseball cards, most inserts employed a hand-drawn graphic style reminiscent of 19th century tobacco cards.

In addition to the eclectic mix of subjects, there were also several special parallel and short print subsets hidden throughout Allen & Ginter packs that added to the antique tobacco theme. Key chase cards included a 3-card “Logos of Cooperstown” mini-set featuring logos for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Doubleday Field, and Cooperstown itself. Some of the more visually striking insert parallels included “Green Shimmer” (featuring a mossy green foil treatment), “Silver Signatures” (metallic signatures on a silver background), and “Gold Medallions” (gold foil medallions accenting historical figures).

Interspersed randomly were autograph and memorabilia cards of both baseball players and non-sports subjects that fit the antique motif. Possible autographed inserts ranged from popular athletes like Derek Jeter to authors Mark Twain and Jane Austen. Material items included swatches of jerseys worn by Ty Cobb and Roberto Clemente as well as pieces of fabric from the Wright Brothers’ plane and sections of the Berlin Wall. Numerous “relic” cards also contained pieces of newspapers announcing historic events or artifacts like a shred of an old subway token.

Helping capture the nostalgic atmosphere of an old-time baseball card show were a wide variety backgrounds, borders, and other graphical treatments applied throughout the 2007 Allen & Ginter set. Certain cards had fringed edges emulating a tattered tobacco card. Color tints in shades of tan, sepia, and black-and-white further enhanced the retro sensibilities. Distressed fonts mimicking handwritten text labels supplemented the antique imagery. Background scenes included period-accurate depictions of turn-of-the-century stadiums, crowds, and landscapes.

For added bonus material, hobby boxes also included oversized mini posters of key subjects from the base set and inserts. Measuring about 11 inches x 14 inches, these throwbacks to lithographic tobacco card ad pieces allowed collectors to not only build a standard set but also enjoy a gallery of the eye-catching graphics. Box toppers were another special perk, featuring unique memorabilia cards that were only available as pack pull chasers or in factory sealed wax cases.

While 2007 Allen & Ginter received some backlash from purists wanting a straightforward sports card set, its imaginative retro designs, diversity of subjects, many parallel variants, and treasure hunt allure captured the attention of a dedicated collector base. Over fifteen years later, the set remains a hugely popular vintage-styled release due to its ability to seamlessly blend baseball cards with a diverse array of Americana memorabilia in a nostalgic 19th century tobacco theme. For those seeking a unique historical collecting experience beyond the standard modern sports card format, 2007 Allen & Ginter offered a truly one-of-a-kind yearly release.

TOPPS ALLEN GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards were first released by Topps in 2006 as part of their regularly produced baseball card sets. What sets A&G cards apart from standard baseball cards though is their unique focus on heritage, history, and hobby parallel insert sets. While still featuring MLB players, A&G cards incorporate historical figures, famous scientists, artists, fictional characters, and more into inserts throughout the set. This innovative twist has made Allen & Ginter one of Topps’ most popular modern sets.

The origin of the Allen & Ginter brand dates back to the 1880s when Philadelphia-based tobacco manufacturer Allen and Ginter produced wrappers and trading cards for their cigars. Some of the earliest mass produced American trade cards featured in their tobacco products depicted historical figures, entertainers, Native Americans and more. In the late 19th century, these non-sport tobacco cards became collectible and helped popularize the modern hobby of trading cards.

After over a century since their famous non-sport cards, Topps acquired the dormant Allen & Ginter brand name in the 2000s. They began using it for a retro-style baseball card set that paid homage to the original tobacco cards’ fondly remembered heritage inserts. The first A&G baseball release was 2006 and included around 150 unique ‘picture back’ cards of characters from history, arts, sciences and literature mixed among the regular baseball players. Fan favorites from that pioneer set included cards of Nikola Tesla, Edgar Allan Poe, Juan Ponce de Leon and more.

Since 2006, Allen & Ginter has been a yearly Topps baseball card series. Each set contains base cards showing that season’s MLB players alongside various parallel insert sets. Popular parallels over the years included ‘Rare Specimens’ showing fossils and minerals, ‘Famous Faces’ biographies, ‘Artists & Illustrators’ portraits, and ‘Blockbusters’ movie characters. The checklist of subjects is always diverse – one year may feature cards of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare alongside actors like Cary Grant or Marilyn Monroe.

Allen & Ginter is also known for including insert sets tied into popular shows, movies or anniversaries topical to the release year. Recent examples being cards promoting Game of Thrones, Stranger Things or anniversary Mars Rover insert sets. Topps even collaborated with National Park Service to feature America’s national parks in 2021 A&G releases. This outside-the-box approach to baseball card inserts has continuously resonated with collectors.

While the MLB player base cards don’t tend to have high individual value like rookies or stars from flagship Topps series, Allen & Ginter holds collectors’ interest for its unique parallels. Finding memorabilia or autograph versions of the heritage inserts can be especially desirable for collectors. Serial numbered parallels like ‘Green Shimmer’ foils or rare 1/1 autographs exemplify the modern rarity aspect A&G has adopted. Case hits like 1/1 sketch cards combining baseball players with historical figures are also popular rewards for breakers and high-end collectors.

Possibly the most coveted A&G parallel is the tintype ‘photograph’ cards. Hand crafted to resemble early photograph formats, these rare photo inserts depict relevant subjects from that year’s heritage checklist. Only a handful exist for each subject, making any tintype pull highly valuable and desirable for collectors. Finding one is considered a major hit in any Allen & Ginter product.

Outside of the cards themselves, Topps has supported Allen & Ginter with other collectibles and memorabilia over the years as the brand increased in popularity. This included limited release lithographs, wooden baseball bats feature heritage subjects, anniversary commemorative plaques and more. In 2021 they even created an Allen & Ginter non-fungible token (NFT) digital card set highlighting subjects from past A&G releases.

Whether collecting for MLB players, heritage inserts or chasing parallel rarities, Topps Allen & Ginter has remained one of the most unique and creatively diverse modern baseball card series after 15 years. By paying tribute to the original non-sport tobacco era while infusing modern crossover subjects, each new A&G set release is highly anticipated among both baseball card fans and those liking the cross-category collecting aspect. Allen & Ginter has cemented its place alongside Topps’ flagship as one of the most recognizable baseball card brands in the collecting world.

ALLEN AND GINTER NON BASEBALL CARDS

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Allen & Ginter was an American tobacco company that produced cigarettes and other tobacco products in the late 19th century. While they are best known for their pioneering baseball card sets issued from 1886-1887, Allen & Ginter also produced a series of unique and collectible non-sports card sets inserted in their cigarette packs and other tobacco products between 1885-1889. These early trading cards featured portraits of famous and notable individuals from various fields such as arts, sciences, exploration and industry.

Allen & Ginter saw trading cards as a novel way of advertising their products and enticing consumers. Their innovative card inserts helped popularize the concept of including premiums and prizes inside cigarette packs. While baseball cards were their most famous and valuable series, Allen & Ginter’s non-sports cards hold historical and cultural significance as some of the earliest mass-produced trading cards in America. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the notable figures and subjects that captured public interest in the Gilded Age.

One of the earliest and most elaborate Allen & Ginter card sets was their 1885 “Portraits of American Indians” series. This set featured 54 lithographed cards showing Native Americans from different tribes, many in full headdress and traditional attire. The cards aimed to depict the various indigenous peoples of North America in an ethnographic style. While produced during a time of westward expansion and declining Native American populations, the cards represented one of the earliest mainstream exposures of Native American culture to the American public. Many of the individuals depicted in the set such as Chiefs Joseph, Rain-in-the-Face and Red Cloud became iconic figures in the history of American Indian relations.

In 1886, Allen & Ginter issued their “Great Americans” series featuring 50 cards profiling prominent historical figures from the early foundations of America. Portraits included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and other Founding Fathers. The series also featured likenesses of authors, inventors, soldiers and statesmen who helped shape the young American nation such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Samuel Morse, Ulysses S. Grant and John Marshall. The cards aimed to instill patriotism and educate the public about individuals integral to American history and identity. Many of the portraits were based on period paintings and engravings to authentically capture the likenesses of these notable figures.

Another fascinating series released in 1886 was Allen & Ginter’s “Views of Great Britain” cards. This set included 50 lithographic cards depicting various landmarks, structures, monuments and scenes from across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Locations featured included Windsor Castle, Edinburgh Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher and other iconic sites that represented British culture, history and natural beauty. The cards provided American consumers a pictorial tour of the British Isles during a period of trans-Atlantic cultural exchange and tourism between the two English-speaking nations. They helped foster an interest in British places and architecture among the American public.

In 1887, Allen & Ginter released three additional non-sports card sets including “Portraits of Beautiful Women”, “Views of American Progress” and “Rough Riders, Indian Fighters and Frontier Scouts”. The “Portraits of Beautiful Women” series featured 50 lithographed cards depicting famous actresses and other notable women from the worlds of art, literature and society such as Lillie Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt and Queen Victoria. Meanwhile, the “Views of American Progress” set highlighted 50 scenes of industrialization, transportation and infrastructure projects through lithographed images of factories, railroads, bridges and other symbols of America’s rapid modernization in the late 19th century. Lastly, the “Rough Riders, Indian Fighters and Frontier Scouts” series portrayed 50 lithographed portraits of American frontiersmen, explorers, military figures and adventurers who helped shape the western expansion of the United States through their exploits and encounters with Native Americans.

In addition to their elaborate card sets, Allen & Ginter also produced smaller series profiling notable individuals in fields like art, exploration, science and industry. Examples include their 1886 “Eminent Painters and Sculptors” series featuring 12 lithographed cards of artists like Raphael, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. They also issued an 1886 “Explorers and Travelers” set with 12 cards depicting figures such as Amerigo Vespucci, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. An 1886 “Men of Science” set highlighted 12 portraits of inventors, physicians and thinkers like Benjamin Franklin, Louis Pasteur and Michael Faraday.

While production of Allen & Ginter cards ceased after 1889 when the company was acquired by British American Tobacco, their innovative non-sports card sets from the 1880s had a profound and lasting impact. They helped establish trading cards as an integral part of the tobacco product experience and a novel form of advertising. Allen & Ginter’s ornate cards also did much to familiarize the American public with notable individuals from history, arts, sciences and other fields while fostering interests in other cultures through their pictorial series. Even over 130 years later, their unique cards remain a fascinating primary source of visual information on notable figures and subjects from the Gilded Age era. For scholars and collectors alike, Allen & Ginter’s pioneering non-baseball cards continue to provide a compelling window into American popular culture and interests during the late 19th century.

2022 TOPPS MLB ALLEN AND GINTER BASEBALL BLASTER BOX TRADING CARDS

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The 2022 edition of Topps’ Allen & Ginter baseball trading cards brought back the nostalgia and unique inserts that collectors have come to love from the annual set. While the base cards feature current MLB players, Allen & Ginter has always strayed from the norm by incorporating interesting extras beyond just the standard baseball cards.

This year’s blaster box offered collectors 10 baseball cards along with 2 additional bonus items per pack. The standard issue packs contained 7 cards for a total of 42 cards in each sealed wax box. As with past years, the design on the front of the 2022 blaster pays homage to the classic tobacco era look that Allen & Ginter was known for in its original run from 1887-1891.

Inside collectors could find base cards showcasing today’s top players, memorable retired greats, and even rookie cards for up-and-coming young stars. Nolan Arenado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge were some of the most sought-after modern players featured. Legends like Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver, and Greg Maddux received base cards as well to represent past eras. Bobby Witt Jr. and Adley Rutschman rookie cards provided a look at future potential superstars.

In addition to the traditional baseball player cards, Allen & Ginter is renowned for its diverse inserts that take collectors down unexpected avenues. Some of the most popular parallel sets in the 2022 blasters included:

“T206” wood border cards recreating the iconic tobacco era design. Superstar parallels like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani were big hits.

“Golden Moments” highlighting amazing accomplishments across multiple sports in gold foil. A Lakers’ Jerry West card honored his Mr. Clutch persona.

“In Action” capturing iconic action shots of athletes in their element. A spectacular Ken Griffey Jr. leaping catch drew oohs and aahs.

“Famous Firsts” highlighting pioneering people and innovations on their initial steps to greatness in a rainbow foil design. The Wright Brothers’ initial flight card soared.

“Mascots” featuring the beloved costumed characters from teams. Mr. Met and the Phillie Phanatic brought smiles.

“Mini” 1/1 parallel inserts at 1/8th the size of a standard card to capture the tiniest of details. Mickey Mantle’s pure swing was magnified.

“Hobby” inserts celebrating the collecting community itself with in-jokes and nods to the hobby. “Relic” cards with swatches of game-used materials added a memorabilia element.

Allen & Ginter blasters also contained various non-sports inserts that collectors eagerly searched packs for. These offbeat bonuses are what truly set the set apart. Examples included:

“Landmarks” highlighting iconic structures and locations around the world. The Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China postcards received rave reviews.

“Nature” showcasing plants, animals, insects, and other wonders from our natural world. A majestic bald eagle soared above forests.

“Art” recreating masterpieces from history in card form. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s Starry Night were miniature works of art.

“History” capturing important people and events through time. A card honoring Rosa Parks’ civil rights stand garnered praise.

“Science” highlighting innovations and discoveries that pushed boundaries. The card unveiling the first color photograph awed collectors.

“Literature” paying tribute to beloved books and authors. A card featuring To Kill a Mockingbird and Harper Lee stirred memories.

“Movies” spotlighting iconic films and the stars that made them. Marilyn Monroe glowed on a Some Like It Hot card.

While base cards and inserts provided variety, the true chase for collectors were the highly limited parallel cards only found in certain blasters. Among the most coveted were:

Rainbow Foil parallels with brilliant colors that numbered under 10 copies. A Tom Seaver pulled a premium.

Gold Foil versions that reached the single digits. A Babe Ruth struck it rich.

Autograph cards with signatures from athletes, artists, authors and more that were 1/1 rarities. A Hank Aaron auto commanded top dollar.

Jersey Number parallel cards pairing legends with their uniform numbers in short prints. A No. 5 Willie Mays delighted.

Breaking Allen & Ginter blasters was always a fun surprise for collectors, never knowing what unique piece of history, art, or memorabilia might be uncovered in each pack. While the base cards provided the standard baseball coverage, it was the unexpected inserts across multiple genres that truly captured imaginations and brought the set to life. For both casual fans and serious collectors, 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter once again delivered a nostalgic trip down memory lane and then some.

GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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The Ginter baseball card set is one of the earliest and most historic sets in the early years of baseball card collecting and production. Issued annually from 1887 to 1891 by the Allen & Ginter Tobacco Company of Richmond, Virginia, the Ginter set helped kickstart the baseball card craze that became a mainstream hobby by the late 19th century.

Allen & Ginter was a leading tobacco manufacturer in the late 19th century United States. Like many tobacco firms of the time, they began including premium inserts in their cigarette and chewing tobacco packages to advertise and promote their brands. These premiums ranged from pieces of art, pieces of china, and other novelty items. In 1887, they had the novel idea to include small lithographed cards featuring images of notable baseball players as premiums.

This was one of the earliest genuine baseball card sets. Some contend the 1886 N172 Old Judge tobacco cards may have preceded Ginter as the first true baseball card set. However, Ginter is widely credited as being the first intentionally produced and distributed baseball card series. The cards quickly proved very popular with consumers, especially young boys who collected and traded the cards depicting their favorite ballplayers. This helped tremendously to spread interest and fandom of professional baseball across the United States.

The Ginter cards were issued as small rectangular pieces of grey cardboard measuring approximately 2 x 3 inches each. They featured colorful lithographic images of individual baseball players from both the National League and American Association on the front. The backs were left blank. Production quality was generally very high for the late 19th century. Each card was neatly trimmed and included the player’s name and team neatly printed along the bottom in patriotic red, white, and blue colors.

The 1887 inaugural Ginter set featured 29 different players. The biggest stars of the day like Cap Anson, Jim O’Rourke, Tim Keefe and Dan Brouthers were all represented. The designs were bright and bold in typically Victorian style. Many of the earliest Ginter cards from 1887 are now extremely rare and valuable, with only a handful known to still exist in collectors’ hands today in decent condition.

Ginter would issue new baseball card sets each year running from 1887 through 1891. The player selection and roster evolved and expanded each season to keep up with the fast-changing rosters and player movements in the early professional baseball leagues. By 1891, the final Ginter baseball card set ballooned to an immense 118 different baseball heroes featured. This massive checklist made it the largest and most complete baseball card set issued at that time.

In addition to baseball players, the later Ginter sets also included cards featuring other sports and celebrity figures of the day. Examples include boxers, cricketers, and even actors and poets. This diverse checklist expanded the overall appeal and helped Ginter cards remain one of the most popular premium goods inserted in tobacco products well into the early 1890s.

Unfortunately for collectors today, the survival rate of intact Ginter sets over the past 125+ years has been quite low compared to later 19th century tobacco era issues. The flimsy cardboard stock used and constant handling as playthings for young collectors made the cards quite perishable. Many were inevitably lost, thrown away, or destroyed over the decades. As a result, examples of complete original Ginter sets from any issue year between 1887-1891 are now amongst the most rare and coveted collections in the entire world of sports memorabilia.

For individual card collectors, high grade Ginter rookies and stars from the late 1880s are essentially unattainable treasures today. Examples that do still exist in even moderately preserved condition almost always reside in important museum collections or the guarded collections of elite tycoon collectors. Prices for single rare Ginter cards routinely command six figure sums and well into the millions of dollars for the most desirable specimens when they do very rarely become available on the open market.

Despite the immense rarity and value of intact Ginter baseball cards and sets today, their true historical importance still greatly outweighs mere monetary worth. They were truly a pioneering creation that helped plant the seeds of baseball card fandom and provided some of the earliest iconic baseball hero imagery ever produced for young collectors. With such a brief print run and distribution period over 130 years ago, it’s remarkable any Ginter cards have survived at all. Their survival is a tribute to both their appeal as collectibles and importance as some of the first baseball cards ever made.

While Allen & Ginter Tobacco Company’s production of baseball cards inserted in their products was relatively brief from 1887 to 1891, the Ginter baseball card sets stand as hugely important historical artifacts. They helped introduce and spread interest in collecting baseball players as memorabilia and fueled the nascent baseball card craze. Even over a century later, complete original Ginter sets and individual high grade cards remain amongst the rarest and most prized possessions in any serious baseball memorabilia or card collection due to their immense historical significance as pioneers of the hobby.

2021 ALLEN AND GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2021 edition of Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards marked the 135th anniversary of the historic Allen & Ginter tobacco company that originated the concept of including collectible cards in cigarette and tobacco products in the late 1880s. Allen & Ginter went on to produce some of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards in the history of the sport before the company was acquired by other manufacturers in the early 20th century.

Topps has produced an Allen & Ginter baseball card set each year since 2012 to celebrate the rich history and collectible culture started by the original tobacco cards. The 2021 A&G set featured a variety of innovative designs, parallel inserts, and unique bonuses for collectors. With a base set of 330 cards and dozens of special inserts and parallels to hunt, the 2021 Allen & Ginter offering provided a fun and interesting product for both new and experienced collectors.

Some of the most notable aspects of the 2021 A&G design included hand-drawn illustrations on many of the base cards that gave each player a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Topps commissioned top sports illustrators to create these cartoon-like renderings of current MLB stars and prospects. Parallels like Gold Signature, Black Gold Signature, and RARE featured autographed versions of these artwork cards signed by the players themselves.

The base set also included “Cloth Patch” parallels where swatches of game-used jersey or cap materials were embedded into the borders. Numbered to only 10 copies each, these cloth patched cards featuring today’s top players brought an element of game-use relic cards to Allen & Ginter in 2021. Gold and Black Gold foil parallels at /70 and /10 copies respectively added tremendous allure for parallel collectors.

One of the unique strengths of Allen & Ginter sets has always been the inclusion of bonus non-sports content mixed in with the baseball cards. In 2021, Topps continued this tradition with over 90 bonus offerings covering history, science, arts, entertainment and more. Memorabilia cards featuring authentic artifacts tied to historical figures were particularly impressive, such as lock of hair clippings from Abraham Lincoln and a piece of Albert Einstein’s patented clock.

Fan-favorite “Mini” cards returned in 2021. Shrunk down to around 50% size of the traditional Allen & Ginter cards, these Minis maintained the original illustrations and were inserted 1:4 packs. The set concluded with over a dozen intricate Medallion cards at extremely low print runs. Featuring additional artwork and raising additional funds for charity, these Medallions established themselves as some of the most desirable chase cards in the entire 2021 release.

Allen & GinterBoxloaders, containing multiple bonus Medallion cards in addition to an autographed Memorabilia card, provided collectors a shot at true one-of-one relics for their PC. Box toppers in the form of large “Jumbo Medallions” with original oil painting artwork rounded out the completely unique and memorable boxed product experience for A&G devotees.

Even with 330 cards and as many as a dozen mini and medallion subsets, the Allen & Ginter checklist had plenty of room for additional insert sets. In 2021, Topps delivered several popular short prints including “Faces of the Franchise,” profiling franchise cornerstones like Derek Jeter; “Then and Now” pairing classic players like Ty Cobb alongside modern stars; and fantasy-driven sets like “Beers of Baseball” aligning ballplayers with their favorite brews.

Additional inserts extended the reach of Allen & Ginter even further with innovative “Artifact Autos” cutting real vintage documents and pairing them with modern autographs. Legendary managers and executives were also recognized in 2021 through cards showcasing their lifelong contributions to the game. Finely crafted parallel variants provided new avenues for collectors at all levels to interact with the Allen & Ginter brand.

Whether chasing the base rookie cards of MLB’s next generation stars, pursuing the esoteric memorabilia relics and low-count parallel refractors, or simply enjoying the artistic hand-drawn players against a historical backdrop of non-sports culture, Allen & Ginter offered something for every collector in 2021. With its rich history and constant innovation, the 135-year old brand proved it continues to be one of the most unique and welcomed new releases on the annual baseball card calendar. Headlined by special memorabilia bonuses and highlights of the past, present and future of America’s Pastime, 2021 Topps Allen & Ginter cards created lasting memories for a legion of dedicated collectors.

2011 ALLEN GINTER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2011 edition of Topps’ venerable Allen & Ginter baseball card release was highly anticipated by collectors. After being out of print for over a decade, Topps brought back the classic design in 1989 and has issued sets regularly since 2005. The 2011 A&G cards maintained the retro look featuring artwork borders and photographs on some cards, but saw some new insert sets and parallels added to the base checklist.

The base set consisted of 324 total cards with players, managers, legends, and notable non-baseball personalities. Some of the more notable rookie cards included Freddie Freeman, Jeremy Hellickson, and Eric Hosmer. Veteran stars featured included Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera. Beyond current players, the set paid tribute to legendary figures like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Satchel Paige.

Outside of sports, actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and singers like Lady Gaga made appearances reflecting the eclectic mix of subjects found in Allen & Ginter sets over the years. Topical non-sports cards also featured things like cars, movies, and historic events. Veteran collectors enjoyed finding familiar names from past while newer collectors could discover new areas of interest through these offbeat inclusions.

In addition to the standard base cards, Topps included several chase parallel sets that added to the excitement of opening packs. The most sought-after were the 1/1 printing plate parallels available only by redeeming printing plates won through online contests or special box topper redemptions. Other parallels included gold (#/50), silver (#/150), and camo (#/199) versions of base cards available through regular packs at lower print runs.

Another parallel insert set was the 82 Game Used Materials cards featuring swatches of game-used jerseys, bats, or other memorabilia embedded into the design. These were available one per box on average and provided collectors a way to add authentic pieces of player equipment to their collections. Numbers were limited to only /99 copies creating a significant scarcity premium for high-grade versions.

Among the most popular chase inserts in 2011 Allen & Ginter was the 16-card League Leaders subset. Highlighting statistical champions from the previous season, these featured retro-style artwork in the style of vintage tobacco cards. Notable rookie cards included Buster Posey and Neftali Feliz from their 2010 award-winning seasons. With short prints of only /299 copies each, these inserts became hot commodities on the secondary market.

The 24-card Icons of the Game insert showcased legendary players through vibrant cubist-style artwork. Featuring the likes of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Hank Aaron, these creative renditions commemorated all-time great careers. Limited to /399 each, these inserts provided a fun new artistic take on baseball immortals. Other inserts like All-Time Greats (96 cards, /399) and T206-Style Players (24 cards, /149) echoed vintage designs and maintained interest in pack-pulling beyond the base checklist.

Several novel promotional inserts added further incentive for collectors. The 56-card Sizzlin’ Sounds of Summer insert highlighted baseball themes songs on jukebox-style cards with mp3 download codes on the back. Additionally, Topps provided a 50-card Street Fighter-themed boxing insert reflecting that year’s resurgence in popularity of those retro video games. Both non-sports in nature but reflective of their times, these promotions engaged collectors interested in those adjacent pop culture trends.

The 2011 edition of Allen & Ginter met with much fanfare upon its August release. While maintaining the core retro aesthetic, Topps infused the set with new chase cards, parallels, and promotional inserts that kept the energy high all summer long. Rookie cards of future stars like Freddie Freeman gained value as collectors chased hits from packs and boxes. The eclectic mix of personalities inside helped develop new fans by introducing them to unexpected subjects. After over a decade away, 2011 showed Allen & Ginter had still lost none of its magic for engaging collectors across generations. It remains one of the most popular modern iterations of this classic baseball card brand.

In subsequent years, Topps would continue to refine the Allen & Ginter formula. New insert sets like Credentials paid homage to iconic artifacts and Trading Cards highlighted baseball card designs through history. Standard parallels and memorabilia cards remained popular inserts. The 2011 release stands out for successfully reviving the brand with a modern twist after its long absence. Today, graded examples remain some of the most visually appealing and collectible cards for players who have since become superstars. Its combination of nostalgia, surprises pulls kept the fun alive in what became perhaps the greatest Allen & Ginter release of the modern era.

ALLEN AND GINTER BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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Allen & Ginter was a tobacco company founded in Richmond, Virginia in 1866 by William Allen and W.W. Ginter. In the late 19th century, Allen & Ginter began inserting collectible cigarette cards into their tobacco products as a marketing gimmick. These early cigarette cards featured topics ranging from sports to history and more. The Allen & Ginter baseball cards produced between 1887-1889 are some of the most coveted and valuable vintage baseball cards in existence today due to their rarity, condition and historical significance.

Allen & Ginter released a total of three baseball card series during this time period – 1887, 1888 and 1889. The 1887 set is considered the true first major set of baseball cards ever produced. It featured 29 cards highlighting players from both the National League and American Association. Some of the biggest stars included in the 1887 set were Cap Anson, Jim O’Rourke and Buck Ewing. Only about 50 complete 1887 Allen & Ginter baseball card sets are known to still exist today in various conditions, making individual cards extremely rare and valuable. In near mint condition, key cards like a Cap Anson or Buck Ewing from 1887 can fetch six figure prices or more at auction.

The 1888 Allen & Ginter set expanded to 65 cards and included players from smaller minor leagues of the time in addition to the two major organizations. Rarity remains extremely high for the 1888 set as well, with perhaps only 100 or so complete sets believed to still be around. Top stars like Mike “King” Kelly and Jim McCormick remain the most in demand and priciest from this set. High grade examples can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars each. Condition is especially important when evaluating 1888 Allen & Ginter cards, as the paper quality was somewhat inferior to the 1887 issue.

For the 1889 set, Allen & Ginter increased production somewhat but still featured relatively short print runs compared to later tobacco era issues. The 1889 set is the largest of the three at 102 cards. It encompassed many of the same players and teams as the 1888 set while also expanding coverage to include new players and teams. Rarity levels are higher than 1888 but not quite as scarce as 1887. The inclusion of more players results in wider varieties of stars and “commons” to collect from the 1889 set compared to previous years. Even so, a complete, high grade 1889 Allen & Ginter baseball card set could conceivably be worth over $1 million today.

Individually, the most coveted cards from the 1889 set include future Hall of Famers like Cap Anson, Buck Ewing and Jim O’Rourke as well as popular players of the time like Bug Holliday, Dan Brouthers and Ed Delahanty. These star cards in top condition can reach the $10,000+ range or higher depending on several factors. There is also demand for complete team sets within the 1889 issue, such as a group of cards showing an entire league or specific team’s roster. These specialized subsets can often command mid five-figure prices or more.

Beyond just the condition and rarity factors, the Allen & Ginter sets hold additional historical significance that contributes to their investment value. They were among the very first baseball cards ever produced as part of the early development of the hobby. They helped spread interest in baseball players and teams during the formative years when the sport was still growing in popularity nationwide in the late 1800s. The inclusion of players who would later be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame makes Allen & Ginter cards an important part of documenting the early professional game’s history as well. This level of nostalgia and collectibility continues to drive prices higher over time for surviving examples.

Grading and preservation is especially important when evaluating Allen & Ginter cards due to the fragile nature of the approximately 130 year old paper stock they were printed on. Even minor signs of aging, handling or imperfections can drastically reduce a card’s value. Professionally graded examples through services like PSA or SGC provide a consistent frame of reference for condition, and slabs help protect the fragile cards. Completeness is also a major factor, as cards excised from tobacco wrappers or missing coupons are worth considerably less. Original tobacco coloration adds eye-appeal and nostalgia, while whitened or discolored examples suffer price penalties.

The Allen & Ginter baseball card issues of the late 1880s remain among the most significant and valuable in the entire collecting hobby due to their enormous historical importance and rarity levels achieved through over a century of survival. Even in lower grades, key stars and complete sets retain considerable value worth many thousands based on their place in the early development of baseball cards and memorabilia. With so few surviving the ravages of time intact, Allen & Ginter cards are a premier collectible for enthusiasts of vintage memorabilia and the earliest years of professional baseball history in America. Their value seems sure to continue appreciating for discerning investors.