Through the years there were a number of baseball card sets issued that do not get as much attention in todays collectors market as the sets issued by tobacco, gum, and other major baseball card companies. For the most part the demand for these little known sets are low, and could be had at affordable prices. This month we showcase some of these sets.

The 1878 Forbes Company advertising trade cards are among the earliest of all baseball related cards issued. This set of six cards copyrighted in 1878 by the Forbes Company of Boston were produced as advertising trade cards for merchants to use to promote their product or sevice. The cards were sold by agents across the county that would print the advertisement on stock cards provided by the Forbes co. The colorfully illustrated baseball themed lithograph trade cards measure 3 by 4.75 inches and features the card title at the top with the merchant's advertisement printed at the bottom.

The 1932-1933 Sanella Margarine Babe Ruth baseball card is one of two Baseball related cards featured in the “Handbuch des Sports” a German "Sports Manual." The other card an unidentified Japanese player, through some research can possibly be Nobuo Kura, a Japanese catcher that is also featured in the JBR 48 1934 Tour of Japan set. The text at the top of the unknown Japanese player card is roughly translated to: "Japanese Baseball Coach on the field" 

 The two cards that measure 2-3/4" x 4-1/8" were part of a 112 sports card set depicting athletes of different sports from around the world. One card was given away with the purchase of a half pound of Sanella Margarine or a full set was made available in an album titled “Handbuch des Sports” that could be ordered through the mail.

 Baseball history told through collecting baseball cards. The 1960 Nu-Card Hi-Lites, 72 card set was issued with a newspaper format. The 3 1/2" x 5 3/8" over-size baseball cards featured the card number in red inside a box in the upper left corner, and the word “Extra” in the upper right corner. Under the header which also features the set title "Baseball Hi-Lites," is an information line providing the city, day of the week and actual month and year of an event in baseball history. (to the right "Ptd. in U.S.A. ©NCI" manufactures credit-line) The headline, and photo is followed by a short news-story caption.

The back of the card features a trivia question, and the answer (at the bottom & upside down) refers to another Hi-lites card for more details. Example: Card 42; "Greenberg Returns to Tigers From Army" Question "Did any player ever hit a fair ball out of the Yankee Stadium" Answer: "No. See Baseball Hi-Lite No. 50" (card above)

 In 1961 Nu-card Inc. issued another set titled "Baseball Scoops" which consisted of 80 cards numbered 401-480. This set also features a front page newspaper design, but in a standard baseball card size format measuring 2 1/2 x 3 1/2." The cards showcase the greatest players, on-field achievements, and historic moments in baseball. This set features the news-story caption on the back, and is the same as the Hi-Lite Set.

  The 1968 Sports Illustrated Poster Baseball Cards were a promotional item that was issued by Sports Illustrated to dealers that carried their magazines. The 2-1/8 by 3-3/8 inch cards were printed on thin "Cereal Box" like cardboard, and were attached to a single sheet of cards held on by 4 perforation tabs. The picture used on each card is the same as the full size poster but has the inventory number at the bottom left corner, and the players name on the right. The front of the blank back cards use the same format as the posters pictured on the 14" x 21" order form ad sheet, used for customers to order the poster.

The 1971 Topps Winner baseball cards were part of a Topps Baseball Card Contest. To enter the contest you had to fill out an entry blank provided by the storekeeper. After filling out the entry blank with the information as seen on the back of the card; Favorite teams, Players, Hobbies etc.. the form was to be mailed into Topps with a photo of your kid.

 Twenty-five grand prize winners got their pictures on a "Real Baseball Card" and 1,000 contestants received a Full color Major League Card poster. The short print cards were inserted into a very limited number of 1972 baseball card packs. The 25 winners each received one sealed box of 1972 Topps baseball cards, with each wax pack having the winners card inserted into it. They also received 1,000 additional cards of themselves, to hand out to friends and family.

The "House of Jazz" record store premium baseball set consists of 35 cards that measure 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". The regional issued cards were part of a store promotion, along with similar cards depicting musicians, that were given away when you made a purchase from the record store located in Glenside, PA. The black & white, round corner baseball cards feature the players name, hand written in a "semi-Sig" fashion, and a blank back with a white sticker with blue print that reads: 'HOUSE OF JAZZ, LTD., "Sounds of 30's 40's 50's" Glenside, PA. 19038' The cards are commonly found without the sticker.


The 1974 TCMA "Nicknames" baseball card set of 27 features the nicknames of ballplayers from the 1930's & 1940's. Back in the day, player nicknames were far more common and added character to the game. The Cards feature a black & white photo with the word "Nicknames" at the top, and the players nickname at the bottom in Red. The back features the card number, Player's full name, Position, Team & years played. Nicknames card number 1 - "Rapid Robert" information on the back; "Robert William Andrew Feller, pitcher, 1936-1956, Cleveland Indians. ©1974 TCMA, Ltd."