Baseball cards have been around since the late 1800s, with companies like Old Judge and Allen & Ginter producing some of the earliest examples of baseball on cardboard. It was the Goodwin Company that helped popularize the modern baseball card era during the tobacco card boom that started in the 1880s. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Goodwin Company produced baseball cards as promotional inserts in packs of cigarettes and chewing tobacco from 1887 to 1891.
While Goodwin cards were produced for a relatively short period of time compared to industry giants like Topps, their historical significance and collectible value make them highly sought after by vintage baseball card enthusiasts. Some key things to know about Goodwin baseball cards:
Production Years: As mentioned, Goodwin cards were inserted in tobacco products from 1887 to 1891, with the majority produced from 1887-1889. They helped kick off the tobacco era of baseball cards that lasted through the 1950s.
Design & Printing: Most Goodwin cards featured a single player pose in uniform on the front. The backs were left blank. They were lithographed, as opposed to the later chromolithographed cards. This gave them a rougher look and feel compared to cards produced in the 1890s.
Players Featured: Over 100 different baseball players from the late 1880s are featured on Goodwin cards, including legends like Cap Anson, Buck Ewing, Amos Rusie, and John Montgomery Ward. They captured the stars of that era long before many other card sets.
Scarcity: Only about 50-100 examples are known to exist today for some of the more key Goodwin rookie cards like Billy Hamilton and Kid Nichols. The rarity alone makes them extremely valuable to collectors. Fewer than 10% of the original Goodwin production is accounted for in today’s hobby.
Condition Issues: Being over 130 years old at this point, very few Goodwin cards remain in pristine condition. Even lower grade examples often sell for thousands due to their historical place in the origins of baseball on cardboard. Proper storage and care is a must for any surviving Goodwin cards.
Investment Potential: The steep prices Goodwin cards command is a testament to their blue chip status for savvy vintage baseball investors. A PSA NM-MT 8 Billy Hamilton from 1887 sold for over $240,000 at auction in 2016. And a PSA 2 Buck Ewing realized $25,000 in early 2021. Prices remain on an upward trajectory.
Hall of Famers: In addition to Hamilton and Ewing, over 20 players featured on Goodwin cards have since been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, adding to their importance from a historical perspective. Names like Cap Anson, Amos Rusie, and John Montgomery Ward started their careers in the 1880s.
Set Completion Difficulty: With over 100 different issues and the extreme rarity of high grade examples, putting together a complete set of Goodwin cards in top condition is considered nearly impossible. They are the ultimate vintage set challenge for wealthy collectors.
Legacy & Influence: The Goodwin Company helped kick off the baseball card craze that would last well over 100 years. Their simple but iconic early designs served as templates for the many incredible sets that followed in the 1890s tobacco era and beyond. They were hugely influential on the entire hobby.
While they were produced for a short time in the late 1880s, Goodwin baseball cards left an indelible mark on the origins of the sports card industry. Their rarity, historical significance, and representation of the early years of professional baseball make them among the most valuable collectibles in the hobby. Prices will likely continue rising as fewer surviving examples remain in the hands of private collectors and institutions. For those seeking a true blue chip vintage baseball card investment, a high grade Goodwin will always be a sound option.