The American Trading card sometimes referred to as ‘’entertainment card’ or in the U.K. ‘Collector card’, has been popular in the since the early 1940’s.
Unlike the British ‘Cigarette card’ which harkens back to the early 1900’s, it is slicker slightly larger and printed in much more robust card materials.
The increase in popularity in Trading Cards began around 1987 and enjoyed a real boom in the late 90’s with three major glossy publications to keep collectors abreast of releases, trading events, current values and trends.
U.S collectors spent over $300. million dollars annually on trading cards with over half that figure being spent on Character Entertainment cards. The late 1990’s the US boasted over 4,000 card retail outlets and over 60,000 dealer buyers attending the Chicago Card Conventions.
The American Trading card has now set the ‘universal standard’. It is usually on strong art card with a slick coated varnish finish giving them vivid coloured imagery and longevity.
The ‘Chaser’ or ‘Special’ sub-set cards, which are randomly inserted into the ‘counter-top foil packs, are treasured prizes to collectors as they are usually enhanced with state-of-the-art interactive visual print effects or foils and are rare or ultra rare. These are zealously sought after by collectors, giving them much higher market values. The ‘Promotional Cards’ used to announce releases, and generally issued to the trade through promotions, have also become an established collectible on their own with collectors seeking just Promo Cards. Some of the early Promo’s are sometimes called ‘Prototype’ cards and are quite limited.
It it not unusual for sets to increase in value 4 or more their original price in just a few years, and some single ‘chaser’ special cards can hold a value equal to, or exceeding the full set. The 1967 issue of Star Trek (72 card Set) is currently selling at $1250,00, with single cards selling at £$20.00 each. the Superman Gum 1941 Series now fetches a price of $3750 for the 72 card set. Single special cards pretty much always have a high value, and Autographed cards can reach dizzy price heights as they are sought after by Autograph hunters as well as card collectors, so the market is that much wider and competitive.
The ‘Beanie Babies Gold Autographed’ cards from the 1998 release is valued at $2.200.00. Disney Classics and Hologram cards are selling at around $50.00 each. The American ‘NonSport Update Magazine’ caries a popular rule-of-thumb Price Guide in every issue which has now become the international buyers guide to cards.
What makes collector cards rare and sought after, are the limited edition one off print runs, popular subject matter, and high quality reproduction.
Most collectors build their sets from the 6,8,10 card counter top Foil Packs, where some others prefer to purchase sets complete (already collated) or, as Factory Boxed sets, as this saves the expense of having to buy many packs to find those missing numbers and it also guarantees the collector his full set before the Dealer or Retailer runs out of the Foil Packs .
Collectors ages range from 6 to 70+. from all walks of life, Lawyers, Judges, and accountants are among the many professions that collect cards. With releases like ‘Laurel and Hardy’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ appealed directly to the more mature collector. These type of collections which are usually Factory Boxed have Specials and Bonus Prize cards randomly inserted and have brought a whole new section of card collectors into the hobby.
The Trading Card as a pleasing transferable and collectable hand held reference piece for almost any subject, character, film or promotion, is firmly established worldwide as an international collector and enthusiasts entertainment and hobby medium, and it looks like it will be giving pleasure, interest and extended value for generations to come.
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