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1893 - Hartlepool Rovers - Cigarette and Trade Cards

Starting from the mid 1880s Cigarette and Trade Cards plus similar trade promotions were collected avidly by Schoolboys, covering many areas but particularly from the earliest days Sports Stars from Soccer, Rugby, Golf and Cricket. One of the most prolific producers of cards was J. Baines Ltd of Manningham, Bradford who sold the cards in packs of six and they reached their zenith at the end of the Great War with over 13 million cards being produced in one year. The group on our website appear to all date from the 1890s based on the Caps, Career span or jersey worn by the individual players. The Trade card for Bramwell, produced by Masons, dates from this period but full details of the Bramwell business or its history are unknown.