We have all probably heard the horror stories from brothers, uncles, fathers and others about their collections of trading cards from when they were kids. Like most kids they collected baseball, football and other types of trading cards and kept them in shoeboxes and other homemade collection containers. In the old days kids used to look at the cards, trade them with their friends and even clip them on their bicycle tires so that they would make a cool clicky sound. In that era, collecting cards were fun and you had a chance to learn more about some of the players on the sports trading cards as well as the other types of cards in the market. However, from the early days of trading card collecting, they have changed to become one of the fast growing industries in the past few decades.

Trading cards date back to the late 1800's, with a type of baseball card made of a cloth material began to appear in 1887. These cards were handmade, which made them very rare and expensive to obtain. The first manufactured cards began to appear in 1902 in cigarette and tobacco packages. These cards, mostly baseball but other sports were depicted as well, were used to give tobacco pages some stability, but became popular for the cards with the public.

By the 1930's and 1940's, trading cards started to show up not only in tobacco packages, but also started to appear in cracker jacks and bubble gum packages as well. Manufacturers of cards started to issue cards in a standard size, which is the size that we know today. Some of the better known card companies, such as Topps and Bowman, began to start operation during this time frame, and the business of trading cards began to flourish.

Trading cards began to be printed not only for baseball cards, but also other sports such as boxing, football and basketball.

However, during the later part of the 20th Century, some of the biggest changes took place. People became more interested in trading cards, and began seriously collecting them. These collectors began to place values on the cards due to a number of factors. These include the number that have been in circulation, the condition of the card and whether they have any imperfections from the manufacturer. Each of these factors were put into consideration when cards were valued.

Another trend that started in this time frame was the production of non-sports cards. Trading cards began to be produced from cartoons, movies and even current events. These cards opened up the collecting business to children and adults who were not just interested in sports. These changes widened the card collecting industry up til today.

The value of the cards has gone from just a couple of pennies to purchase in past years to thousands of dollars for rare cards in mint condition. With all of the stories of cards being thrown out because they were just in old shoe boxes in the attic, how collectors store their cards has undergone changes as well. Many collectors organize their cards in notebooks with protective sleeves or in specially designed storage boxes. Since these cards are big business, collectors even use computer programs to inventory and track the value of their collection.

Card collecting has become one the fastest growing industries in the past several decades. Collectors consider their cards to be investments and look to maximize the return on their investment. To be a good card collector, people need to monitor the value of their cards. Many people rely on card value guides which are available in print as well as online. Others attend conventions and card shows where they interact with others interested in collecting. In their conversations, these people can learn more about the collecting industry.

Collecting cards can be a fun and profitable hobby. Most people combine collection cards with activities that they like. For example, if you are a baseball fan, collecting baseball cards is fun and if you are a Star Wars fan, collecting Star Wars cards can be fun. To learn more about collecting and protecting your investment, we have gathered a number of helpful websites:

• Brief History of Baseball Cards��� article with information about the origins of the production of baseball cards.
• History of Baseball Cards��� brief look at the early days of baseball trading card production.
• Card Collecting��� look at the card collecting industry and how men react to them.
• Memorabilia��� informative look at the memorabilia industry and how it has changed in time.
• Baseball Card History��� article outlining the history of the baseball card collecting industry.
• Sports Card Collecting��� overview of sports card collecting as a hobby and showing how it has changed over the years.
• Pricing Guides��� general information on pricing on various types of trading cards.
• Trading Card Information��� basic information on beginning to collect trading cards as a hobby aimed at kids.
• Trading Card Basics��� information on how trading cards work and how they increase in value.
• How to Protect and Display Your Trading Card Collection��� useful guide discussing what can be done to protect your trading card collection.
• Protecting Trading Cards��� helpful information on ways to protect and preserve your trading cards.
• Baseball Cards and the Economy��� informative article from Forbes on the state of baseball cards and the current economic conditions.
• Current State of Trading Card Industry��� article talking about the changes in the trading card industry over time.
• Trading Card Industry��� information on how the card industry is surviving in a rough economy.
• Most Valuable Trading Cards��� informative look at some of the most valuable baseball cards.
• Rare Baseball Card��� information on the rare 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card that was worth $2.8 million.
• Collector Resources��� information and resources on non-sports trading card collections.
• Sports Trading Cards Resources��� helpful information about trading cards along with resources.
• Trading Card Resources��� information and useful resources for sports and non-sports trading card collecting.