The Beginning Of Collectible Cards – J.Baines – Part 1

In various corners of the United Kingdom, from Manningham to Gillingham, J.Baines birthed a unique legacy – sports trading cards that echo the heartbeat of games we cherish. Each card, a distinct snapshot of sports history, came from the presses of J.Baines Litho, J.Baines, and J.Baines Ltd.

Decades of relentless pursuit for knowledge, with the shadow of Mr. Crick – the descendant of John Baines Sr. – guiding the way, breathed life into the dates and types of these cards. From family records, hushed whispers of the past found voice, deepening their historical significance.

From the cricket pitch to the rugby field, the golf course to the hockey rink, and the football stadium, Baines cards captured them all. In 1886, a Baines card broke new ground, featuring Arthur Wharton – the first soccer player to grace a sports card. An artefact from a bygone era, this card stands alone in its existence.

The Allure of Baines Cards: Rarity and Historical Significance

Scarcity is a strange mistress. Older Baines cards, born in the 1880s, are often more elusive than their younger siblings from the 1910s. Yet, sometimes, time plays tricks. A 1909 card, bearing the face of Billy Meredith – a Welsh wizard who charmed both Manchester United and Manchester City – is a rare jewel. Only two such jewels exist in the world.

Two cards from 1883, starring W G Grace – a titan of cricket – mark some of the earliest Baines creations. Just three copies of each card are known to live on.

As time marches on, the allure of Baines cards only intensifies. The Victorian and Edwardian relics have charmed collectors from every corner of the globe. The scarcity of these treasures and the rich history they hold have drawn historians and sports enthusiasts into their orbit, captivated by their enduring mystique.

The Dawn of Baines Cards: Introducing Sporting Legends

In the annals of sports trading cards, the W.G. Grace cards from 1883 hold a special place. Bearing the image of the legendary cricket captain and Gloucester County Cricket Club member, these cards are rare gems in the Baines collection. Only three of each exist, their rarity and pristine condition elevating them to a status akin to Babe Ruth’s in baseball, Pelé’s in soccer.

The cards differ subtly. One bears the sportsman’s coat of arms, the first design of its kind, while the other does without. The Union Jack card, according to a Baines family member, was the first cricket card Baines produced. The Gloucester CCC card of Grace followed, its new design ushered in once the initial run of cricket and word-making cards sold out.

Cricket and rugby cards from Baines saw the light of day three years before the first soccer card, featuring Arthur Wharton, came in 1886. These, along with the word-making competition cards, followed the “Lucky Bags” series from 1882 that did not feature sportsmen. The 1883 series was a game-changer, the first to highlight nationally and internationally known sports figures.

Baines cards have an intriguing history that spans over 40 years, including an album that dates back to the 1880s. Wearing sports cards at matches became a trend in 1884. Fans adorned themselves with cards of their favorite players, wearing them in hatbands, pinning them to clothes, or inserting them into buttonholes.

Cards with “Ltd” after Baines, as in J.Baines Ltd, were produced no earlier than 1909. This notation features on cards made between 1909 and 1925, often on Gold Medal backs. But, another branch of the Baines family made cards during these years without the ‘Ltd’ suffix, as early as the early 1900s or late 1890s. However, “Ltd” cards are always from 1909 or later.

Decoding the Baines Timeline: Addresses and Production Dates

The various addresses on the cards can often reveal their production dates. Cards with 68 Carlisle Road predate mid-1886, while 72 Carlisle Road features on cards from mid-1886 to 1888. Cards from 1889 to 1891 bear the double address: 65 & 72 Carlisle Road, and cards from 1891 to around 1894 showcase another double address: 65 Carlisle Road and 15 North Parade. Address-less advertising cards labeled ‘Baines Litho, Manningham’ were also issued in the 1880s.

From around 1895 until 1908, Baines cards were addressed at 15 North Parade. After John Baines’s death in December 1908, one branch of the family added “Ltd” to cards produced from 1909 onward at 15 North Parade, until the First World War, when they moved to Barnsley. The other branch made cards without “Ltd” from Oak Lane, Bradford, until a little after World War One, and then from 48 Nelson Road, Gillingham, Kent.

A Timeline Of Baines Cards

Eight Insights to Understanding the Baines Card Phenomenon

1. The Impact of Simplicity on Longevity and Reusability:
   
   In the 1880s, Baines had competitors like Briggs. To stand out, he used unique shapes for his cards – octagons, club-and-triangle, fan-shapes. But these intricate shapes wore out the die-cut tool quicker, and these cards are now some of Baines’ rarest. Simple shapes, like shields and balls, lasted longer. Baines gave prizes for returned cards, reusing the best to save on printing. Complex cards often couldn’t be resold due to faults, but simpler shapes held up well.
   
   
2. Grasping the Role of Lithography:
   
   Baines wasn’t just a printer – he was a lithographer. This detail is important, and it’s one that’s often misunderstood by collectors. In his role, Baines would work with designers and etchers to prepare up to four plates for each image. He would then hand these plates off to a printer. In the early days, notable printers like Alf Cooke and Richardson from Leeds were used. In later periods, the work was done by Berry Brothers printers in Bradford.
   
   Once the cards were printed, it was Baines’ job to distribute and sell them. At first, he sold them in half-penny packets. These packets were often customised for specific merchants, who would then distribute them as they saw fit. Each packet contained a mix of cards. Some were about cricket, some were word-making cards, and some were about football. At first, the football cards were about rugby, but soccer cards were added later on.
   
   
3. Trusting the Cards, Not Trade Directories:
   
   Always remember the value of the information on the cards themselves. Don’t disregard this in favor of trade directories, which can often be incorrect. The combination of the player and team on a card is key to determining its date. The card’s design and the addresses printed on them are just as important.
   
   Keep in mind that commercial directories from the 1880s and 1890s were prone to mistakes and omissions. They often recycled old data when new updates weren’t available. You can find similar inaccuracies in census reports. So it’s critical to rely on the information provided by the cards themselves.
   
   
4. Historical Context from Newspapers:
   
   An 1884 newspaper mentions fans at a football game wearing “football cards” in their hat bands. These cards likely showed Fred Bonsor, captain of Bradford FC, and were probably made by Baines Litho in Bradford. This suggests Baines was producing cards since at least 1883.
   
   
5. Family Connections:
   
   A 1871 newspaper notes a printer firm called Edward Baines in Leeds. John Baines Sr.’s descendant, Mr. Crick, says Edward was a family relative. This suggests that John Baines Sr. was linked to the trade early on.
   
   
6. Role of Patents and Gold Medals in Dating Baines Cards:
   
   Patent numbers on Baines cards help us figure out when they were made. For instance, cards with two patents came after the second patent, granted in late 1887.
   
   The well-known Gold Medal design was on the back of Baines cards until the mid-1920s. But they couldn’t be older than the mid-1890s, when the gold medal was won. Most gold medal cards came after 1909, when ‘Ltd’ was added. But some earlier ones exist from the early 1900s.
   
   We’re not sure how many cards were made in the late 1890s. Cards without patent numbers, like the sportsmen-coat-of-arms cards with W G Grace and octagonal cards of Australian cricketers, were made before 1886. This was before Baines got his first design registration numbers and royal crest between late 1885 and early 1886.
   
   So, earlier cards don’t have these elements. John Baines was proud of his Royal Patent numbers. He made sure they were printed on his cards with the Royal Beasts, a lion and a unicorn, as soon as he legally could. Most of Baines’s advertising cards, even those from the late 1880s, didn’t have patent or registration numbers.
   
   
7. The Significance of 1887-Dated Cards:
   
   Baines cards from 1887 reflect a mature trade. They showcase intricate designs, suggesting a strong distribution network. After 1887, Baines stopped dating cards to keep them current. He was known to reissue redeemed cards, which only works if the cards don’t become outdated.
   
   This fact about 1887-dated cards shows that Baines was in full production by this time. Some past sources suggested otherwise. But Baines had been a thriving business for several years before the mid-1880s.
   
   The quality of cards produced as early as 1887 suggests a well-established business. Plus, 1887 was the second year Baines was granted patent numbers. The first registration dates back to late 1885 or early 1886, according to the most precise dates available in the British Library archives.
   
   
8. Competition, Collaboration, and Acquisitions
   
   In the early 1880s, Baines worked as a lithographer. He employed artists for card designs and etchers for printing preparation. Alf Cooke and Richardson, both established printers, did the actual printing.
   
   Baines faced local competition. He cleverly advertised his products using rivals’ cards. These cards were colourful and either rectangular or diamond-shaped. They promoted Baines’ “lucky bags” on the back and showcased striking sportsmen images on the front.
   
   Printed by Alf Cooke and Richardson, these cards made their way to other sellers, spawning rivals such as Briggs of Leeds. Some Baines cards ended up with Briggs, but returned to Manningham later for a Baines rubber stamp overprint.
   
   Baines grew his business by buying competitors and their stock, adding more designs to his gallery. Notably, he added the extra-large shield design, a creation of Richardson for Briggs, from 1887 onward. Another staple was a heart-shaped card, made for him by Alf Cooke as early as 1886.
   
   While Baines eliminated competitors like Briggs and Arthur Cromacks, new ones surfaced. One of them was W.N. Sharpe, who launched its own football cards business in 1888.
   

Baines cards hold a captivating history, from their creation to their status as desired collectibles today. These cards show Baines’ innovation and dedication, surviving time and giving us peeks into different eras of sports. They represent the strength of creativity, the effects of competition, and the lasting allure of sports. This article’s research and insights let us see the richness and depth of the Baines cards’ history. They remind us to value, preserve, and study such historical artifacts.

Look forward to Part 2 of this series. We’ll delve further into the Baines Timeline from 1882 to 1925. We’ll look at changes in addresses, designs, patents, and illustrate various card types. Prepare to discover more about the complex world of Baines cards!