Baseball cards are one of the most popular items collected in the United States. A baseball card is simply a baseball-related trading card, generally focusing on a single player, printed on card stock. Other sports also have trading cards, but none are as popular as baseball cards, especially old baseball cards.

It is in the 1800s that baseball cards came into popularity and in the same time baseball itself was growing in popularity in the United States. Initially the images of baseball players and teams were printed on the cigarette cards. This was used by the cigarette manufacturers for promotional purposes.

The first baseball cards were produced by cigarette companies, but as baseball and baseball cards became increasingly popular, other companies entered the baseball card market. Hand-drawn images began to be replaced with photographs as camera technology improved. Today, the antique cards with hand-drawn pictures are very rare and therefore extremely valuable.

Baseball card production hit an all time high shortly after World War II. There were many different companies fighting to be top seller at that time. Because of the scarcity of it, a baseball card produced in 1952 is the now the most sought after card. The sport of baseball itself felt the benefits as young boys and adults alike began to buy baseball cards.

Only a few of the original companies rose to the top in baseball card production. One of the production companies began to sell the cards with a pack of gum as a promotional tool. Others included team stickers or small puzzles to entice buyers. Other items have been included in packaging over time, including pieces of fabric from team uniforms, contests, and small cookies.

There are many places today where old baseball cards can be found. They can be found at estate sales, antique shops and thrift shops. Even retail stores, usually as part of a comic book store, buy and sell old baseball cards. Other popular places to buy and sell rare baseball cards is through online auction sites. These baseball cards can even be found in belonging of one's parents or grandparents. With a good selling venue, a lot of money can be made with the right baseball cards.