J. Baines Ltd., Bradford · 1880s–1900s
The Card Collection
Pre-1931 footballer cards: the Baines shield cards of Bradford and the cigarette-card era. The playground currency of the first football generation — sold singly and as framed flights, because the set is the product.
The pieces in The Card Collection
J. Baines Ltd., Bradford · 1880s–1900s
Baines Shield Cards (framed flight)
The playground currency of the first football generation — shield-shaped chromolith cards, bold as banners.
Collecting is the first form of supporting.
tobacco card lithographers · c. 1908
Footballers of the Edwardian Series (framed flight)
The Edwardian professionals in chromolith miniature — arms folded, hair parted, immortal at two inches tall.
Fame used to fit in a waistcoat pocket.
period photograph · c. 1905
Billy Meredith
The Welsh wizard at the wing, toothpick in place — the game’s first superstar, thirty seasons long.
Longevity is the rarest trophy.
postcard publishers · 1913
The Cup Winners’ Postcard, 1913
The team as a picture postcard — Edwardian football’s answer to the broadcast.
The postman was the first football broadcaster.