Introduction to Baseball Cards
Baseball cards have been around since the late 19th century, with the first sets being produced in the 1880s. They became popular in the early 20th century, when they were used as a way to promote baseball teams, players, and leagues. Over the decades, they have become a popular form of memorabilia, with collectors searching for rare and valuable cards.
History of Gum in Baseball Cards
The first baseball cards included gum, which was a popular treat at the time. It was added to the cards as an incentive for people to buy them. The gum was usually packaged separately from the cards, which meant that it had to be opened and inserted into the card. This was done manually, and it was a labor-intensive process.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the gum was usually packaged together with the cards. This made it easier for consumers to get the cards, as they didn’t have to open and insert the gum. The gum was often included in foil packs, and it would often feature the team or player on the pack.
When Did They Stop Putting Gum in Baseball Cards?
The trend of including gum with baseball cards continued until the 1980s. After this, the trend began to decline, and by the 1990s most companies had stopped including gum with their cards.
The decline of gum in baseball cards can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the main reasons was the increasing cost of production. As the popularity of baseball cards grew, so did the cost of production. This meant that companies had to find ways to cut costs, and one of the easiest ways to do this was to remove the gum from the cards.
Another factor was the changing tastes of consumers. In the 1980s, there was a shift towards healthier snacks, and people began to move away from sugary treats like gum. This meant that companies had to find new ways to entice consumers to buy their cards, which often meant adding new features instead of gum.
Reasons for the Shift Away from Gum
Cost
The main reason that companies stopped including gum in their cards was because of the cost. As the popularity of baseball cards increased, so did the cost of production. This meant that companies had to find ways to cut costs, and one of the easiest ways to do this was to remove the gum from the cards.
Changing Tastes
Another factor in the decline of gum in baseball cards was the changing tastes of consumers. In the 1980s, there was a shift towards healthier snacks, and people began to move away from sugary treats like gum. This meant that companies had to find new ways to entice consumers to buy their cards, which often meant adding new features instead of gum.
Environmental Concerns
Environmental concerns also played a role in the decline of gum in baseball cards. Many consumers were becoming more aware of the environmental impact of single-use packaging, and this led to companies looking for alternatives to gum.
Alternatives to Gum
In order to make up for the loss of gum, companies began to include other incentives with their cards. These included:
- Autographs – Many companies began to include autographed cards in their sets, which added a unique touch to the cards and made them more desirable to collectors.
- Game Pieces – Companies also began to include game pieces with their cards, which offered a fun way for kids to play with their cards and interact with the game.
- Stickers – Stickers were also included with some sets, which gave kids a way to customize their cards and make them their own.
Conclusion
Gum has been a staple of baseball cards for decades, but it has been gradually phased out since the 1980s. The main reason for this is the increasing cost of production, as well as the changing tastes of consumers and environmental concerns. Companies have found other ways to entice consumers to buy their cards, such as autographs, game pieces, and stickers.
References
- Baseball Card History: A Timeline of Baseball Cards. (2020, August 4). Retrieved from cardboardconnection.com/baseball-card-history-timeline
- Baseball Card Gum Through the Years. (n.d.). Retrieved from justcollect.com/blog/baseball-card-gum-through-the-years/
- Baseball Cards: A Brief History. (2017, August 29). Retrieved from cardboardconnection.com/baseball-card-history
- The History of Baseball Cards. (n.d.). Retrieved from thoughtco.com/history-of-baseball-cards-4068133