Baseball cards have long been an integral part of America’s pastime for the game of baseball. From the late 19th century when the earliest cards were produced up to the modern era, baseball cards have captured the players, teams, and moments that have defined generations of fans. The small coastal town of Plymouth, Massachusetts has its own rich history with baseball cards that spans over 100 years.

Some of the earliest baseball cards were produced in the late 1880s by companies like Goodwin & Company and Old Judge tobacco brands. These original cards featured individual players and were primarily included as promotional materials inside cigarette and tobacco products to help advertise the companies’ brands. In the 1890s, Plymouth was home to the J.S. Adams Cigar Company who began experimenting with including baseball cards in their cigar products that were popular among local residents. Some of the earliest Adams cards to feature in Plymouth featured stars of the day like Cap Anson, Dan Brouthers, and Amos Rusie.

Into the early 20th century, tobacco cards continued being the main distribution method for baseball cards across the country. In Plymouth, the American Tobacco Company became a leading producer of cards in the first decades of the 1900s. Their iconic T206 collection from 1909-1911 has become one of the most valuable sets of cards ever produced. Several pristine condition T206 cards have been uncovered in old attics and basements in Plymouth, much to the delight of local collectors. In the 1920s, the rise of gum companies distributing cards led to new sets like Goudey Gum’s 1933 collection that had iconic images of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx that are still treasured today.

The golden age of baseball cards arrived in the post-World War 2 era as production exploded. Topps Chewing Gum took over the market and produced hugely popular high quality sets on a annual basis. Their 1952 and 1954 issues are considered some of the most collectible in the hobby. In Plymouth, children could be found trading and collecting cards on street corners and in school yards. Local card shops also emerged as hubs where kids could browse racks of cards and assemble their collections. Families would attend Red Sox games at Fenway Park in Boston and stops would often be made to shops in Plymouth to look at the newest releases.

Into the 1960s, the culture surrounding baseball cards only intensified. Topps continued to be the dominant force with their iconic designs and photography. Their 1968 set featured the iconic “rookie” card of Boston’s own Carl Yastrzemski that holds significant value today. In Plymouth, the 1960s saw a boom in little league and youth baseball as the baby boom generation came of age. Having the latest cards of stars was a badge of honor and source of competition. Some local card shops like Rocky’s Sportscards even began hosting weekend card shows where collectors from across the region would gather.

The 1970s was arguably the pinnacle of baseball cards popularity in America. Production and collecting skyrocketed. Plymouth native and Red Sox great Jim Rice had some of his earliest and most valuable cards released in the 1970s by Topps. Sets became even more elaborate with oddball issues, special subsets, and career retrospectives of legends. The overproduction of cards also led to a crash. In Plymouth in the early 1980s, some local shops had trouble staying open as the bubble burst. Dedicated collectors kept the hobby alive through trading and the rise of the antique and vintage market.

In the modern era since the 1990s, baseball cards have found renewed interest from collectors. Plymouth has seen a resurgence of its local card shops like 617 Sports Cards. Producing cards has become more specialized with companies focusing on specific players, teams, and inserts. The rise of the internet has made rare vintage cards from Plymouth’s past more accessible to today’s collectors. Over 130 years after those first tobacco cards, baseball cards remain a cherished part of Plymouth’s history and culture. The players and moments they capture continue to inspire new generations of fans in the town by the sea.

Baseball Cards in Plymouth, Minnesota: A Rich History of the Hobby

The small city of Plymouth, Minnesota has had a rich history with baseball cards dating back to the early 1950s. Like many American towns during that era, the baseball card collecting craze took hold among the youth in Plymouth. Boys could frequently be found trading and discussing their newest acquisitions in neighborhood ball fields or at the local drug store. Three shops in particular – Johnson’s Drug Store, Clark’s Corner Store, and Bob’s Bait Shop – served as informal hubs where kids congregated to engage in the beloved hobby.

While the roots of baseball card collecting can be traced to the late 1800s, it was the postwar economic boom and rise of mass production that truly launched the modern baseball card industry. Companies like Topps, Bowman, and Fleer began churning out packs for just a few pennies, putting entire sets within the reach of most American children. For those growing up in Plymouth in the 1950s, opening a fresh pack and hoping for prized rookie cards was a truly exciting experience. Whether hunting for the likes of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, or local heroes like Harmon Killebrew, the thrill of the chase bonded countless friends.

As the 1960s rolled around, the popularity of baseball cards in Plymouth reached new heights. By this time, several shops had emerged as destinations solely for the trading card crowd. Arguably the most prominent was Ernie’s Sport Cards, which opened its doors in 1962 at 4305 Vinewood Lane North. Run by local resident Ernie Johnson, the small store became the epicenter of card collecting activity in Plymouth. Kids could be found packing the small shop on weekends and after school, engaging in boisterous trades and debates over who had the best collection. Ernie also fostered community by organizing the area’s first baseball card shows in 1967.

The 1970s represented baseball card collecting’s golden age in Plymouth. With the rise of the Counterculture movement, a newfound appreciation emerged for nostalgia and nostalgic pursuits like collecting cards. Meanwhile, the city’s population continued to boom, bringing many young families who passed the hobby onto their kids. Shops like Ernie’s were now overflowing on a daily basis, as the range of available cards also greatly expanded beyond just baseball. It was during this period that the first organized leagues and tournaments started up in Plymouth for sports like baseball, basketball, and football. Prizes would often include packs, singles, or even complete vintage sets.

At the same time, a new challenge emerged for shops as speculators and unscrupulous buyers began manipulating the scarcity and value of some key vintage cards. In response, Ernie and others instated strict policies against reselling cards for profit within their stores. They aimed to protect the experience for young collectors. Meanwhile, annual card shows grew larger and more prominent on Plymouth’s social calendar through the 1970s. Vendors would descend from across the Midwest to connect with the city’s huge base of avid collectors. National conventions were also starting to take shape, allowing locals the chance to network on a bigger stage.

The 1980s saw baseball card collecting in Plymouth transition into more of a speculative craze fueled by skyrocketing NBA prices. While the hobby remained strong, some argued it lost some of the carefree innocence of previous eras. The rise of online selling platforms in the 1990s further commercialized the pursuit of cards as investments. Dedicated shops like Ernie’s Sport Cards managed to survive, continuing to serve a loyal, multi-generational customer base in Plymouth. Ernie passed in 2005, but his family has kept the store running as a tribute. Today, it stands as one of the oldest continually operating card shops in the entire country.

In the modern-day, Plymouth has developed a well-deserved reputation as a haven for collectors across the Midwest. Annual card shows still convene in the city, while dedicated groups like the Plymouth Card Collectors Club meet regularly to network, trade, and organize local events. Meanwhile, independent shops like Ernie’s have been joined by national chains and bustling LCS’s (local card shops). The pastime also continues to be passed down through generations, as childhood collections are lovingly preserved and expanded upon. Few cities can match Plymouth’s deep history and continuing passion for the hobby. Its influence is sure to keep the baseball card tradition alive and thriving for many years to come.