Pre-War Cards

It’s In The Details’

Title	George Norris Base Ball Game Cards
Year	1903
Size	2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Images	Black and White
Type	Game Cards
Number in Set	94

1903 George Norris Base Ball Game Cards Overview

This game was produced in 1903 by the George Norris Company. The game received its official patent in April 1903 and was touted as “The game with all of the excitement of the outdoor sport.”

The game was originally offered for $.50. Collectors could buy it from the George Norris Company, which was located at 170 Summer Street in Boston, or from dealers.

Like many card games, they did not include a large box with a playing surface. Instead, the cards were packaged in a small box.

As was the case with many early games, these cards included only printed actions on them to dictate game play. Two players could simulate an actual baseball game using the cards.

The cards featured images of generic players in different poses. Some had longer sets of descriptions, such as the card featured here. Others were much shorter. Backs of the cards had attractive baseball-themed designs with a pair of crossed bats and four baseballs and a catcher’s mask with a glove. Others possibly could have been used.

The cards today do surface from time to time but the full game with the boxes are difficult to find. The box included a red-ink design with pictures of two players (one throwing and one fielding).

1903 George Norris Base Ball Game Cards Checklist

A checklist for this set has not yet been provided.

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