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Baseball cards are widely collected throughout the United States. A baseball card is a small card usually featuring the picture of one baseball player, printed on card stock. Many other sports have similar cards, but baseball cards are the most popular. Many old baseball cards continue to circulate today.

As baseball was growing in popularity in the 1880's, the cigarette manufacturers of the time came across an idea to promote their sales. They decided to insert cards in to the cigarette packs depicting images of baseball players and teams.

As interest in baseball and the cards continued to grow, the cards began to be produced by companies other than cigarette companies. When photography became more prevalent, photos replaced the earlier hand-drawn images on the cards. Vintage baseball cards that have early hand-tinted pictures are some of the most rare baseball cards, and therefore, the most collectible.

Shortly after World War II, baseball card production hit an all time high. Several companies fought to be the top seller. A card produced in 1952 is currently the most sought-after card because of the scarcity of it. As more and more collectors (young boys and adults alike) began to buy cards, the sport of baseball itself was feeling the benefits.

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.

Baseball cards are one of the most collected items in the United States. They were first produced by cigarette companies when the sport itself was becoming beloved in the USA, but as their popularity increased, other companies began to enter them into the card market. You can find old baseball cards virtually everywhere, including thrift shops, antique stores and even estate sales. You can even find rare baseball cards and vintage baseball cards on online auction websites. If you have the right cards and the right selling venue can generate a small fortune.