1878 Huntley and Palmers Biscuits Sports Trade Card Set

‘It’s In The Details’

Title Huntley and Palmers Biscuits Sports Trade Card
Year 1878
Size 3″ x 4 3/8″
Images Color
Type Bakery/Trade
Number in Set
24

1878 Huntley and Palmers Biscuits Sports Trade Cards Overview

Huntley and Palmers was a biscuit manufacturer in England (Reading and London). Over the years, they used numerous sports and non-sports trade cards.

The 1878 Huntley and Palmers Biscuits cards featured a variety of sports. Baseball, golf, and tennis are among the most popular cards among American collectors. But all of them draw some level of interest.

The images from these sets have been reprinted for other products, including postcards.

Two Types

1878 Huntley and Palmers Tennis1878 Huntley and Palmers GolfThere are two types of Huntley and Palmers cards in this series here. They are sometimes considered to be the same set and others, two separate issues.

The cards feature the Huntley and Palmers name at the top as well as a mention of their addresses in London and Reading.

The first type (which includes the baseball set) has a full bleed picture extending all the way to a gold border. The second type includes a picture of a particular sport or pastime with a partially white background and a semi-circle.

The backs are even more interesting in the minds of some collectors. There, you see a full-size advertisement in French. The bottom of the back also seemingly gives the date of the card, mentioning an event in Paris in 1878.

Baseball

Huntley Palmers.jpg

The baseball trade cards feature a generic baseball scene and is one of the more desired cards in the set. Using a vertical picture, the card displays a batter, pitcher, catcher, and third baseman, as well as a batter on deck. A grandstand and outfield fence are shown in the background.

This card is the most desired one in the issue. However, the golf card is also one of the earliest in that sport and is highly sought after as well.

Printed in 1878, the card predates most of the American trade card issues depicting the sport. It is one of the earlier known baseball cards to be printed.

Internationally, it is surely among the earliest as most baseball cards did not start making their way around the globe until after 1900.

1878 Huntley and Palmers Biscuits Sports Trade Card Checklist

Type 1 (Full Picture Background)

  1. Baseball
  2. Canoeing
  3. Cricket
  4. Cycling
  5. Golf
  6. Hare Coursing
  7. Jumping Rope
  8. Lacrosse
  9. Polo
  10. Running/Cross Country
  11. Tennis
  12. Walking

Type 2 (Partially White Background with Circle)

  1. Bird Hunting
  2. Canoeing
  3. Cricket
  4. Fishing
  5. Horse Jumping (Fence)
  6. Hurdling (Fence)
  7. Ice Skating
  8. Polo
  9. Rifle Shooting
  10. Rowing
  11. Tennis
  12. Yachting

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