Pre-War Cards

It’s In The Details’

Title	To the Ball Game Playing Cards
Year	1906 (?)
Size	2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Images	Red/Blue Ink
Type	Game Cards
Number in Set	53

1906 To the Ball Game Playing Cards Overview

Similar to what you can find today, many pre-war playing card sets existed that had sports themes. This set has a baseball theme and while I have seen references to it being produced in 1906, I have not confirmed that date.

The set is a standard playing card deck design on one side with cards numbered 2 through Ace in each of the four suits, clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. The other side has a unique picture with a woman dressed up riding in a carriage.

While no baseball equipment is shown in the scene, it is baseball-related as every card has the title, ‘To the Ball Game’ printed on it. In addition, ‘Ball Park’ is also printed in the upper left edge.

While standard colors are used on the side with the card numbers and suits, the side featuring the woman is printed only in red or blue ink (there are apparently at least two different sets of these). Both are rare but I have seen far fewer of the blue ink cards.

As the set includes a standard playing card deck, 53 cards are included, including a Joker. The Joker card has an ornate design with the word ‘Joker’ printed on it.

1906 To the Ball Game Playing Checklist

The set is a standard playing card deck with cards 2 through Ace in each of the four suits, clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.

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