1889 E.R. Williams Game Card Set

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	E.R. Williams Game Cards
Year	1889
Size	2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Images	Color
Type	Game Cards
Number in Set	52

1889 E.R. Williams Game Card Overview

While some pre-war game card issues included only pictures of generic players, the 1889 E.R. Williams game card set included excellent color lithography of some of the best players in the game. Even though E.R. Williams is the name most typically associated with this set, Williams’ first name as displayed on the box and instructions was Egerton with R. as his middle initial.

19 of the 52 cards feature real players – two per card for a total of 38. The other 33 cards still have value and are sought after by collectors, but are action cards simply needed to play the game. Those do not feature real players. Card featuring the actual players are far more valuable.

Backs of all of the cards feature a generic batter printed in green ink against a decorative background, similar to those found on all types of playing cards.

Here are pictures of the entire set of cards featuring actual players.

Associated Pieces

The batter shown on the backs of the cards was also used on the instructions included with the game. The cover of the instructions noted that the game was interesting, scientific, exciting and speculative.

Cards were packed in a box with the Egerton Williams name. It stated that ‘every play in the field game was shown,’ likely meaning that the cards covered the full spectrum of possible plays in the real game of baseball. The box also says the game is, ‘easily played, attractive, and exciting.’ From a design standpoint, the box artwork and text was printed in dark blue ink and had a crossed bats design with a baseball in the middle.