In the late 1800s, trading cards first emerged as inserts in tobacco products, serving both to stiffen cigarette packs and to build brand loyalty. Characters in these early products included military leaders, national flags, and actresses. Anything that might captivate the public’s interest. It didn’t take long for sports to enter the scene.

By the early 1900s, baseball players had become a dominant theme on cigarette cards. One landmark set from this era is the famous T206 baseball card series (1909–1911) produced by the American Tobacco Company. This set of 524 cards, nicknamed “The Monster” by collectors, included legends like Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Walter Johnson. Among them, the now-mythic Honus Wagner card. The superstar shortstop reportedly objected to his likeness being used to sell cigarettes, resulting in fewer than 60 known copies being printed. The card became the Holy Grail of baseball cards, selling for $7.25M in a 2022 private sale.