1869 Peck and Snyder Cincinnati Red Stockings

This is considered by many to be the first true baseball card, in that it was produced in large quantities for a more general market, as opposed to cabinet photos and other similar products that existed at the time, and were largely for private circulation. The back of the card was offered to various businesses for advertising, as was customary of most card issues during the 19th century.

The card measures 3-5/16"x4-3/16" and features a horizontal sepia photo of the team (the first true professional baseball team) on the front. Two Hall of Famers are shown in the group - brothers George and Harry Wright. The players are named at bottom, with the team name in a more decorative font below, either in black or (more rare) red type.

Although definitely hard to find, a more recent copy of this card was found in California by a 72-year-old woman who runs an antique store. After initially putting the card up for auction on eBay with a starting bid of $10, a friend persuaded her to take it down and have it appraised. Now professionally graded and encapsulated, the card is (in its present condition) estimated to be worth perhaps $10,000 or more.