Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Allen & Ginter

Allen & Ginter was a pioneering tobacco manufacturing company founded in 1865 in , by merchants John F. Allen (1814–1890) and (1824–1897), which became renowned for producing high-quality cigarettes and smoking s while introducing innovative marketing practices such as collectible trading cards inserted into cigarette packages starting in 1875. The company quickly grew into one of the leading tobacco firms in the United States during the late , operating multiple factories in that employed over 1,100 workers—predominantly women, marking an early adoption of female labor in the industry—and producing popular brands like Richmond Straight Cut, Virginia Brights, Imperial, and Richmond Gem. In 1877, Allen & Ginter offered a $75,000 prize for the of a practical cigarette-making machine, and by 1881, they tested James Bonsack's prototype device in their factory, though they ultimately deemed it unsuccessful and discarded it after trials; this machine was later refined and adopted by competitors, revolutionizing in the sector. Following John Allen's retirement in 1882, partnered with John Pope to continue operations, but the firm's independence ended in 1890 when it was acquired as a key component in the formation of the trust under James B. , consolidating major U.S. manufacturers and establishing dominance in the market. Allen & Ginter's trading cards, featuring colorful lithographed images of athletes, celebrities, animals, and everyday scenes, not only boosted sales but also laid the groundwork for the modern collectibles industry, with series like the 1888–1889 "World's Champions" set influencing culture. Lewis Ginter's later philanthropy, including developments in Richmond's infrastructure and the creation of —which his niece Grace Arents later bequeathed for the establishment of the in 1984—further cemented the company's legacy in Virginia's economic and cultural history, though its tobacco operations were fully integrated into the American Tobacco empire until antitrust dissolution in 1911.

History

Founding and Early Years

Allen & Ginter was founded in , in 1865 by John F. Allen and , two entrepreneurs who leveraged the city's resurgence as a major tobacco processing center following the . John F. Allen (1814–1890), a Richmond-based tobacco merchant, had established a modest firm producing chewing and pipe s prior to the partnership. Lewis Ginter (1824–1897), born in to immigrant parents, had arrived in around 1842 after early work in hardware and notions; he built a successful wholesale business importing linens and woolens before serving as a Confederate purchasing agent during the war, which depleted his fortunes. The partnership formed amid Richmond's economic recovery, where tobacco warehouses and factories dotted the James River waterfront, handling vast quantities of leaf from Virginia and North Carolina plantations. Allen provided the initial capital for the venture, as Ginter lacked funds after wartime losses and a failed New York banking endeavor, while Ginter contributed his extensive trade networks from years in merchandising and tobacco dealing. Early operations focused on small-scale processing and distribution of tobacco products, capitalizing on the postwar demand for chewing tobacco and related goods in a city that processed millions of pounds annually. By the late 1860s, the firm shifted toward expanded manufacturing, producing plug chewing tobacco and snuff alongside pipe tobaccos, marking a key milestone in its growth from distribution to production. This transition aligned with Richmond's role as a tobacco hub, where steam-powered mills and local leaf supplies enabled efficient scaling, though the company remained modest in size initially with limited workforce.

Tobacco Manufacturing

In the 1870s, Allen & Ginter expanded its operations in Richmond, Virginia, to larger facilities to support increased production capacity amid rising demand for tobacco products. The company's capital grew to $25,000 by 1880, with employment rising from modest levels to 350 workers, reflecting the scale of industrial growth in the post-Civil War era. By the mid-1880s, production had scaled significantly, alongside substantial volumes of other tobacco goods. Key cigarette brands included "Richmond Straight Cut," "The Pet," and "Virginia Brights," which utilized high-quality bright leaf tobacco and tasteless French rice paper for packaging. A pivotal technological advancement was the firm's engagement with James Bonsack's cigarette rolling machine, which revolutionized . In 1876, Allen & Ginter offered a $75,000 for an effective , prompting Bonsack to develop and his invention in 1881 (U.S. Patent No. 238,640). The company received and tested the machine in 1883 at its but initially rejected it due to operational imperfections and preference for hand-rolled cigarettes. However, facing intensifying , Allen & Ginter reconsidered and adopted the Bonsack machine by 1887, becoming one of the earliest major U.S. manufacturers to implement it on a significant scale. This shift boosted output dramatically—from a few hundred handmade cigarettes per worker per day to thousands per machine—enabling the company to produce 1 to 1.5 million cigarettes monthly by the late 1880s. Product diversification bolstered the company's competitiveness, extending beyond hand-rolled items to pre-rolled cigarettes, smoking , and smokeless varieties such as , twist, and navy . Notable smoking brands included "Imperial" and " Gem," while products featured varieties like "Ajax," "Gilmour," and "Pacific," often exported to markets in the , , and . Branded packaging emphasized quality and purity to rival imports, with annual output reaching 1.5 million pounds of manufactured by the mid-1880s. The firm also operated a stemmery in , by 1888, processing dark and strips for further use. This growth occurred against the backdrop of 's post-Reconstruction tobacco boom, fueled by innovations in curing and expanded rail networks that facilitated export. emerged as a manufacturing hub, with the industry capitalizing on abundant local leaf supplies and immigrant labor. By , Allen & Ginter employed over 1,100 workers—predominantly women—in its multi-building factories at sites like 6th and Cary Streets, marking it as the first Virginia firm to extensively use female labor in cigarette production. Co-founder John F. Allen retired in 1882, leaving to oversee continued operations until the 1890 merger into the .

Introduction of Collectible Cards

Allen & Ginter pioneered the systematic insertion of lithographed trading cards into packs , beginning in 1875, as a means to stimulate sales and distinguish their products amid intensifying competition in the . The company, based in , was among the earliest to adopt this approach on a large scale, predating widespread adoption by other manufacturers and marking a departure from prior sporadic use of simple trade cards. These initial cards were produced using , a vibrant printing technique that allowed for colorful, detailed illustrations on cardstock. The primary purposes of these cards were twofold: to serve as practical stiffeners that protected the fragile cigarettes during shipping and handling, and to act as promotional incentives that encouraged repeat purchases and among consumers. Early designs featured diverse themes, including portraits of celebrities, exotic animals, and emerging sports figures, appealing to a broad audience beyond just smokers. This strategic bundling transformed the cards from mere aids into collectible items, fostering a habit of accumulation that tied consumer interest directly to the Allen & Ginter brand. The cards were exclusively integrated with specific Allen & Ginter cigarette lines, such as Virginia Brights and Richmond Straight Cut, with each pack typically containing one card from a themed series limited to 10 to 50 items. This structure incentivized buyers to purchase multiple packs to complete sets, effectively turning the product into a serialized collectible experience. The approach aligned with broader innovations in , such as the Bonsack machine's higher output capabilities, which facilitated the scaled of these promotional inserts. The introduction of these cards had an immediate positive effect on business, significantly boosting cigarette sales in the late by differentiating Allen & Ginter's offerings and cultivating a new layer of through branded collectibles. This shift represented a pivotal evolution from a focus solely on quality to innovative tactics that elevated the company's market position.

Decline and Merger

In the early 1880s, internal leadership transitions began to affect Allen & Ginter's operations. John F. Allen, the firm's senior partner, retired in 1882, prompting to bring in John Pope as a new partner while retaining the original company name. This partnership between Ginter and Pope continued until Ginter's death in 1897 from , during which management shifts contributed to operational strains amid growing industry pressures. Externally, Allen & Ginter faced intensifying competition from 's W. Duke Sons and Company, which aggressively adopted the Bonsack cigarette-rolling machine in 1885 to achieve significant cost reductions—producing s at about 24 cents per thousand compared to the 30-33 cents for hand-rolled methods used by competitors. Although Allen & Ginter had access to early Bonsack machines as far back as , the firm made limited use of them due to mechanical imperfections and public skepticism toward machine-made products. Duke's firm capitalized on this advantage by slashing prices, such as reducing packs to 5 cents in , sparking price wars and overproduction across the industry that eroded profit margins for firms like Allen & Ginter through the late 1880s. High expenditures further exacerbated the strain, with Duke alone spending $800,000 in 1889 to dominate . These pressures culminated in the firm's acquisition by the in 1890, when orchestrated a merger of five major U.S. manufacturers—including Allen & Ginter, W.S. Kimball & Company, Kinney Tobacco Company, and Goodwin & Company—to form a capitalized at $25 million. Allen & Ginter received $3 million in and $4.5 million in as part of the deal, though negotiations were contentious, with Ginter initially resisting the trust structure over legal concerns before agreeing to an averaged stock allocation. The merger effectively ended Allen & Ginter's independent operations, folding its brands, assets, and production facilities—including those for collectible cards—into the new conglomerate. In the aftermath, the Allen & Ginter brand persisted under American Tobacco's control, benefiting from centralized efficiencies that further reduced costs to 5 cents per thousand cigarettes by 1893, but the original firm ceased to exist as a distinct entity. The monopoly dominated the U.S. tobacco market until an antitrust ruling by the in ordered its dissolution, scattering its components into several successor companies.

Trading Cards

Pioneering Innovations

Allen & Ginter pioneered the widespread distribution of insert cards within consumer products, specifically embedding them in packages starting in the late to stiffen the packaging and promote . This model introduced the "chase" mechanic, where consumers purchased multiple packs in pursuit of complete sets, fostering early collecting habits and influencing subsequent global tobacco card trends among manufacturers in the United States and . In terms of design, Allen & Ginter advanced printing techniques by employing high-quality , which enabled the production of colorful, detailed lithographed images that stood out from earlier sepia-toned or photographic cards. The reverse sides of these cards featured biographical information and vital statistics about the subjects, establishing a for informative backs that became a standard in modern cards. Additionally, the cards were sized approximately 1.5 inches by 2.75 inches, making them compact and practical for easy collection and trading. The company demonstrated early thematic variety by extending beyond sports figures to encompass subjects like actresses, boxers, and wildlife, which broadened the appeal to diverse audiences and encouraged cross-collecting. This innovative approach had a profound industry influence, sparking copycat series from competitors such as , whose closely emulated the format shortly thereafter. 's strategy solidified trading cards as an effective marketing tool for consumer goods, predating contemporary insert promotions and laying the groundwork for the collectibles market.

Notable Series

One of the most iconic series from Allen & Ginter is the N28 World's Champions set, released in 1887, which comprises 50 cards depicting champions from various sports. This multi-sport collection includes 10 baseball players such as of the White Stockings and Michael "King" Kelly of the Boston Beaneaters, alongside boxers like and rowers like the Harvard crew. Recognized as the first major issue, the set features lithographed portraits with some variations in poses across printings, measuring 1-1/2" by 2-3/4". The follow-up N29 Allen & Ginter World's Champions series, issued in 1888, also contains 50 cards and builds on the previous year's success with a greater emphasis on subjects, including individual players and team composites such as the . Notable for its vibrant chromolithographic colors and the inclusion of early biographical details and player statistics on the reverse, the set highlights athletes like Buck Ewing and features multi-sport representation across walking, wrestling, and other disciplines. Among other early non-sports series, the 1888 World's Beauties (N26) Actresses set consists of 50 cards showcasing portraits of prominent stage performers of the , such as and , rendered in ornate to appeal to a broad audience. Complementing these, the 1888 Birds of America (N4) series offers 50 cards illustrating native North American bird species, such as the and , with detailed hand-colored engravings inspired by John James Audubon's work, emphasizing education. Allen & Ginter's production of these series involved massive print runs, with estimates placing the total output across their card lines in the millions to promote cigarette brands like Virginia Brights. Cards' rarity today stems largely from survival rates affected by exposure to products, moisture, and handling, resulting in common condition issues like and creasing. Cataloging follows hobby standards established by Burdick's American Card Catalog system, which assigns "N" designations to non-sports issues for systematic identification and valuation.

Cultural and Collecting Impact

Allen & Ginter's introduction of chromolithographed trading cards in the 1880s, particularly the N28 World's Champions series featuring players, played a pivotal role in popularizing cards and contributing to the sport's expansion as a national pastime by embedding player imagery in everyday consumer products. These cards, distributed one per pack of 10 cigarettes, captured the likenesses of early stars like and , fostering fan engagement and memorabilia culture among a growing audience. Today, rare examples from this era command significant value in the collectibles market; for instance, a NM-MT 8 graded N28 card sold for $14,400 at auction in October 2018, while complete high-grade sets have fetched estimates exceeding $20,000. Beyond sports, Allen & Ginter cards influenced broader practices by pioneering the use of endorsements and visual to promote products, extending to non-athletic figures like Cody and setting a template for branded merchandise that blurred commerce and entertainment. Despite their association with , these cards were avidly collected by children in the late , who traded them as affordable hobbies, thereby shaping the foundations of 20th-century collecting culture and inspiring later non-tobacco iterations like bubblegum cards. This dual role in promotion and play highlighted innovative marketing that embedded cultural icons into daily life. In the realm of collecting history, Allen & Ginter cards were instrumental in establishing standards for vintage card grading, with organizations like and BGS now routinely evaluating them based on condition sensitivity due to their thin stock and vibrant colors; as of November 2025, PSA population reports indicate over 250 NM-MT 8 examples across the N28 set from more than 6,000 submissions, underscoring their scarcity. Preservation efforts have ensured their legacy, with specimens housed in institutions such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which recognizes them as key artifacts of the tobacco card era, and the , which holds series like Flags of All Nations for study of 19th-century and commerce. Societally, early Allen & Ginter sports sets exhibited limited representation, with the N28 subset featuring exclusively male athletes amid a male-dominated era for , though the company issued separate cards of female figures like cyclists in other series to appeal to diverse audiences. In retrospect, the distribution of these collectible cards alongside products has sparked ethical debates over to , as the historically used such incentives to normalize among children, a tactic documented in efforts dating back to the late that prioritized sales over health concerns.

Modern Revival

Topps Acquisition and Relaunch

In 2006, Company, a leading producer of trading cards, revived the Allen & Ginter brand by licensing its historic name to capitalize on growing nostalgia for vintage designs during a period of renewed interest in the hobby following the early market stabilization. This relaunch was motivated by the desire to differentiate Topps' offerings in a competitive landscape dominated by standard sets, drawing on the original 19th-century Allen & Ginter cards' eclectic mix of sports figures and curiosities to appeal to adult collectors seeking premium, innovative products. The debut 2006 Topps Allen & Ginter set, officially titled "Topps Allen & Ginter: The World's Champions," featured a 350-card base set primarily showcasing Major League Baseball players alongside retired greats, hobby icons, and non-sports subjects such as boxers like Mike Tyson and historical figures. Key innovations included mini parallels (one per pack), relic cards and autographs (guaranteed two per hobby box), Rip cards for trading within packs, and inserts like the Dick Perez artwork collection, all packaged in premium foil-wrapped hobby boxes aimed at serious collectors rather than casual buyers. The design blended historical aesthetics—such as ornate, old-time fonts and tobacco-era lithography—with modern elements like on-card autographs from stars including Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken Jr., establishing a strategy to honor the brand's legacy while introducing contemporary chase elements. Since its introduction, the Allen & Ginter line has become an annual release, expanding the base set beyond 350 cards in subsequent years to accommodate more diverse inserts and parallels, while maintaining its focus on blending with high-end collectibles for adult enthusiasts. Early was largely positive, with collectors praising the set's innovative variety and strong checklist that fueled high demand and positioned it as a staple distinct from Topps' flagship baseball products—often dubbed the company's "curiosity" line for its quirky, non-traditional appeal. However, it faced criticism for elevated pricing, with hobby boxes retailing significantly higher than standard sets due to the features and of short prints (one in two packs), which some viewed as prohibitive for broader accessibility.

Contemporary Products and Developments

Since its relaunch in 2006, has produced annual Allen & Ginter trading card sets, maintaining the brand's tradition of blending sports with eclectic subjects. The 2025 edition, marking the 20th anniversary of the Topps revival and scheduled for release on December 3, 2025, features a 350-card base set consisting of 300 standard cards and 50 short prints, highlighting MLB rookies, legends, and stars alongside non-sports figures such as creators, champions, and icons from various fields, including new inserts like State Birds for themes and Wicked Curves for oddities. Collectors chase rare mini parallels in chrome and metal finishes, while box configurations include guaranteed mini cards and inserts as box loaders to enhance the experience. Signature inserts continue to define the sets' quirky appeal, with DNA-authenticated hair relics originating in 2007 and featuring strands from historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Ludwig van Beethoven embedded in one-of-one cards. Rip Cards, introduced as hobby-exclusive foil packs containing random high-value hits, remain a staple, with limited-edition versions in the 2025 set promising surprises like autographs or relics. Framed Miniatures offer miniature card designs encased in frames, adding a premium collectible dimension to parallels and inserts. Post-2010, Allen & Ginter has shifted toward hobby-exclusive versions, limiting certain parallels, Rip Cards, and to specialty to cater to serious collectors. Collector value is heavily driven by chase inserts, such as one-of-one autographs and cut signatures, which command high prices due to their . Since 2020, digital parallels have emerged through apps like BUNT, allowing virtual collections of Allen & Ginter-themed cards, including framed mini relics, to complement physical sets. The 2024 and 2025 sets highlight inclusivity by incorporating more international players and global icons into the base and insert checklists, broadening appeal beyond traditional MLB focus. Sales in the premium segment have shown steady growth, with hobby boxes for recent releases averaging up to three per box and the upcoming 2025 set guaranteeing two hits per box amid rising demand for limited-edition content.

References

  1. [1]
    Research the Companies - Tobacco Industry: Sources of Historical ...
    Aug 25, 2025 · Allen & Ginter: Founded by John F. Allen and Lewis Ginter in Richmond, VA, it became part of American Tobacco Company in 1890.
  2. [2]
    Baseball Cards - The Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society
    In the late-1880s, Allen & Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia tobacco company, began including a small photograph or a colorful hand-painted picture in each ...
  3. [3]
    True detective: Tess Simms - VCU News - Virginia Commonwealth ...
    Apr 14, 2014 · “Allen is best known today for his partnership with Lewis Ginter to create Allen & Ginter Tobacco Co., which eventually evolved into what's now ...
  4. [4]
    Built on Smoke - richmondmagazine.com
    Jun 3, 2019 · 1890. Ginter's company, Allen & Ginter, becomes part of the American Tobacco Co., which at one point produced 90 percent of all American ...
  5. [5]
    [PDF] The American Blend - History of Tobacco Policy
    In 1880, the Allen and Ginter. Tobacco Company offered a. $75,000 prize for the invention of a machine capable of automating cigarette production. A young ...
  6. [6]
    Cultivation of a Tobacco Empire - NC Historic Sites
    Allen and Ginter installed the machine in their factory, but discarded it as a failure after several trials. In 1884, however, the Duke company decided to take ...
  7. [7]
    [PDF] Origins of the American Tobacco Company - Sites@Duke Express
    Jan 6, 2015 · Duke tried to effect a loose combination between his company,. Allen & Ginter, and the Bonsack Co. early in 1888. He sought to keep the Bonsack ...
  8. [8]
    Issued by Allen & Ginter - Card Number 24, cut-out from banner ...
    In 1890, the American Tobacco Company purchased Allen & Ginter, as well as many of the large American cigarette manufacturers. View more. Card Number 24, cut- ...
  9. [9]
    Lewis Ginter | TCLF
    Born in New York City to Dutch immigrants, Ginter relocated to Richmond, Virginia, in 1842 when he was eighteen years old.Missing: California Gold Rush
  10. [10]
    Stories from Yesteryear: The Story of Lewis Ginter
    Aug 28, 2014 · Born in New York, April 4, 1824, died in Richmond, Virginia, October 2, 1897. His father died when he was a few months old, and his mother ten years later.Missing: Dutch immigrant California Gold Rush
  11. [11]
    [PDF] guidebook to richmond - Society for Industrial Archeology:
    Manufacturing during the period of 1865-1960. Much like what occurred after the Revolutionary. War, the tobacco industry rebounded after the. Civil War. In ...
  12. [12]
  13. [13]
    James Albert Bonsack (4 October 1859-2 June 1924) Biography
    The modern cigarette-manufacturing industry traces its development directly to Bonsack's machine, which produced inexpensive cigarettes at a time when cigarette ...Missing: innovations | Show results with:innovations
  14. [14]
    Southern Appalachia's Nineteenth-Century Bright Tobacco Boom
    Apr 1, 2014 · Abstract. Over the past three decades, scholars have delved deeply into the post–Civil War industrialization of Appalachia.
  15. [15]
    The Bright Leaf Cigarette in the Age of Empire - DOI
    Lewis Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, saw a potential that no other Southern tobacco manufacturer perceived when he married bright leaf tobacco, locally produced ...
  16. [16]
    Baseball Cards, 1887-1914, Card Sets in Chronological Order
    The collection includes the Allen & Ginter World's Champions (1887), Old Judge (1887-90), White Borders (1909-11), and Domino Discs (1910-12) baseball card ...
  17. [17]
    Allen & Ginter's Chromolithographic Issues - All Vintage Cards
    Mar 4, 2020 · ... John F. Allen, an Irish immigrant who had formed a modest tobacco company in Richmond, in 1860, twelve years before Ginter was to join ...<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    [PDF] Incidental Intellectual Property - UKnowledge
    At first, these “cigarette cards” were blank, but in 1875, the Allen & Ginter tobacco company of Richmond, Virginia started using trade cards, which did double ...Missing: boost | Show results with:boost
  19. [19]
    Antique Printing Processes Identification Part 4 of 6: Color Lithography
    Nov 9, 2014 · An 1800s Allen & Ginter baseball card or advertising poster is as much an original work of art as an original Rembrandt print. Original handmade ...
  20. [20]
    Shortstops: Judging Baseball Cards
    This 1888 poster advertises the baseball cards of Old Judge Cigarettes. Produced by Goodwin & Co., this was the first comprehensive set of trading cards ...
  21. [21]
    Ginter - Card 2, from the Girl Baseball Players series (N48, Type 1 ...
    Trade cards from the "Girl Baseball Players" series (N48), issued in 1886 by Allen & Ginter to promote Virginia Brights and Dixie Cigarettes.
  22. [22]
    [PDF] A Qualitative Inquiry into Smoking Cessation
    Soon Allen & Ginter became the leader in the blossoming cigarette business by using different techniques to boost sales (Sobel, 1978). To begin with, Allen ...
  23. [23]
    1886 Allen & Ginter Naval Flags (N17) - Trading Card Database
    1886 Allen & Ginter Naval Flags (N17) checklist, gallery, release date, inserts, parallels, forum, and collection tracking.
  24. [24]
    EAA: Tobacco Advertising Category Information
    The need for a cigarette-making machine became apparent, and in the 1870s, the Allen & Ginter company offered a cash prize to anyone who could come up with a ...Missing: boost | Show results with:boost
  25. [25]
    RVA Legends — Allen & Ginter - RVAHub
    Aug 26, 2019 · This establishment, which was the first of its kind in Virginia, was founded in 1865, by Messrs. Allen & Ginter. They employ eleven hundred hands, nearly all ...
  26. [26]
    Page 2 — Times 3 October 1897 - Virginia Chronicle
    It is now capitalized at about $25,000,000, and of the capital stock Major Ginter owned about $7,000,000. The Richmond concern is regarded as certainly one of ...Missing: hub | Show results with:hub
  27. [27]
    Where Did Lewis Ginter's Money Go?
    Oct 30, 2014 · Several sources reported that the sale of Allen & Ginter to the American Tobacco Company Ginter accrued $7 million dollars in stock. According ...Missing: initial capital networks hub
  28. [28]
    A Trust to Bust: American Tobacco Company Organized, 1890
    Jan 31, 2016 · On January 31, 1890, the American Tobacco Company was incorporated, creating the world's largest tobacco conglomerate.
  29. [29]
    How the Tobacco Industry Lured Customers with Baseball Cards
    Apr 18, 2024 · Ward, shortstop, New York Giants, Allen & Ginter World's Champions ... At this time, many players used chewing tobacco, and this, too ...
  30. [30]
    The Fascinating History of Cigarette Cards: A Journey through Time
    John Player & Sons, W.D. & H.O. Wills, and Allen & Ginter were among the prominent tobacco manufacturers that released highly sought-after cigarette card sets.
  31. [31]
    A Window Into the Tobacco Era - Sports Collectors Digest
    Mar 24, 2016 · In January 1890, James “Buck” Duke chartered in New Jersey to establish the American Tobacco Co. Allen & Ginter Co., F.S. Kinney Co., Goodwin & ...
  32. [32]
    Cigarette cards - NYPL Digital Collections
    Actresses : 50 cards (Will's Cigarettes). 50. Actresses ... Flags of all nations : 48 cards (Allen & Ginter's Cigarettes). 48.
  33. [33]
    Smoke Signals: Cigarette Cards from the 19th and 20th Centuries
    One series of 50 cards entitled 'The World's Champions,' produced in 1888 by Allen and Ginter, contained images of 10 popular baseball players of the day, ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  34. [34]
    Antique Tobacco Cards - Collectors Weekly
    The year 1887 was an important one for tobacco cards as both Allen & Ginter and Old Judge released sets that are extremely collectible today. Both featured ...
  35. [35]
    1887 N28 Allen & Ginter Baseball Cards - The Cardboard Connection
    Rating 5.0 (2) May 20, 2015 · Allen & Ginter's best-known set was issued in 1887 under the "World's Champions" tagline and featured 50 athletes from several different sports.
  36. [36]
    1880s Allen & Ginter Champions Sets Had a Little of Everything
    Sep 22, 2022 · History and details of the original Allen & Ginter Champions trading cards released in the 1880s. Includes key cards, highlights and more.
  37. [37]
    1888 Allen & Ginter World's Champions (N29) Multi-Sport Checklist
    1888 Allen & Ginter World's Champions (N29) Total Cards: 50 Size: 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" Rating: 8.2 (8 ratings)
  38. [38]
    Set Directory - Beckett
    1886 Allen and Ginter Girls and Children N65 · 1886 Allen and Ginter Natives ... 1888 Allen and Ginter Actresses N67 · 1888 Allen and Ginter Birds of ...
  39. [39]
    Martin, from the Birds of America series (N37) for Allen & Ginter ...
    Trade cards from the "Birds of America" series (N37), issued in 1888 in a set of 50 cards to promote Allen & Ginter brand cigarettes. Series N37 reproduces ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  40. [40]
    1888 Allen & Ginter Birds of America (N4) Non-Sport - Gallery
    1888 Allen & Ginter Birds of America (N4) Total Cards: 50 Size: 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" Rating: 9.5 (2 ratings)
  41. [41]
    Baseball Cards in the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection
    Nov 1, 2018 · A major part of his vast gift to The Met is one of the largest collections of baseball cards now held by any public institution.
  42. [42]
    Breaking Down Jefferson Burdick's American Card Catalog
    Aug 22, 2017 · This book sorted cards by classifications and gave issues a special designation to allow collectors to easily recognize them.
  43. [43]
    Collecting the 1888 Allen & Ginter World's Champions (N28) Card Set
    Feb 14, 2019 · There have been just four PSA 8s (with no cards grading higher). One PSA 8 commanded $16,800 in a Heritage Auctions sale in February 2018.
  44. [44]
    Top-Rated N28 Set Allen & Ginter Set Coming to Auction
    Jan 17, 2019 · Heritage Auctions will feature the complete, 50-card set in its upcoming Platinum Night Auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $20,000 or more.<|separator|>
  45. [45]
    Issued by Allen & Ginter - United States, from Flags of All Nations ...
    Trade cards from the set, "Flags of All Nations," Series 1 (N9), issued in 1887 in a series of 48 cards to promote Allen & Ginter Brand Cigarettes.
  46. [46]
    "A Sport for Every Girl" | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    Dec 18, 2012 · Allen & Ginter followed up The World's Champions with female baseball players and cyclists, and other companies such as W. Duke and Sons, ...Missing: gender | Show results with:gender
  47. [47]
    [PDF] TOBACCO COMPANY MARKETING TO KIDS
    “From the 1950s to the present, different defendants, at different times and using different methods, have intentionally marketed to young people under the age ...
  48. [48]
    Topps Allen & Ginter Is Supposed to Be Weird - Beckett
    Sep 17, 2020 · Although Topps started the line in 2006, the A&G name first appeared on trading cards more than 100 years before that.
  49. [49]
    2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Cards
    2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball checklist, set info, shopping guide, reviews and more. This is one of the most popular sets of the 21st Century.
  50. [50]
    2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball
    Inspired by the 19th-century tobacco cards that started it all, this brand brings timeless design, hand-painted flair, and unexpected subjects into the heart of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  51. [51]
    2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Details - Beckett
    Oct 13, 2025 · 2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball checklist details, box breakdowns, release date, autographs, inserts, rip cards and more.
  52. [52]
    13 of the Weirdest Topps Allen & Ginter Cards Ever - Beckett
    Nov 22, 2022 · List of some of the strangest and most bizarre Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards from 2006-2022. Includes hair, wedding menus and more.Missing: variety boxers wildlife
  53. [53]
    2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Hobby Box (Presell)
    In stock Free delivery over $189.99Each Box contains 2 Hits, 24 Mini Base Cards, and 24 Inserts, on average! inserts, relics, and autograph cards celebrate some of the world's most interesting ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  54. [54]
  55. [55]
    2025 Allen and Ginter Baseball Pre-Sale Announced
    Oct 15, 2025 · Autographs and relics will be the main chase, with limited autographed lineup cards to be found in packs.
  56. [56]
    TOPPS BUNT DIGITAL Allen & Ginter S2 Red Framed Mini ... - eBay
    Free delivery⭐TOPPS BUNT DIGITAL Allen & Ginter S2 Red Framed Mini Rel ICONIC SET (27 CARDS)⭐ ... 4 interest-free payments of $25.00 available with 4 interest-free payments of ...
  57. [57]
    2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Guide - Checklist Insider
    Standard sets include Sweet Victory, highlighting notable MLB wins, and Wicked Curves, a cardboard homage to the best curveball pitchers. Miniature card sets ...