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Covering a wide period of time, the pre-1950s football cards started all the way back in 1894 with the N302 Mayo Cut Plug set. While early options appeared from that point on, it was not until the 1930s and 1940s that football cards started to see more consistent production.
Explore our pre-1950s football database featuring vintage 1800s, 1930s, and 1940s Football Card Set Information. Each product profile offers set checklists, product info, expert analysis, and deals on singles and boxes. Browse football cards from the earliest years of football collecting.
The first-ever set of football cards, 1894 Mayo Cut Plug features 35 college players from Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Get the scoop on the set that’s gone on to inspire multiple modern tributes.
1935 National Chicle Football was the first nationally available set with only football players. The vintage set includes legendary coach Knute Rockne and the rookie card for Bronko Nagurski.
1948 Bowman Football marked the start of modern football collecting. The vintage set includes rookies of Sammy Baugh, Pete Pihos and Steve Van Buren.
1948 Leaf Football combined college and pro stars in the same vintage set. Top rookies include Slingin Sammy Baugh and Chuck Bednarik.
Collectors may think they are seeing double with 1949 Leaf Football. The skip-numbered set is very similar to the 1948 release, but with a few key differences.
 
BGS 9 Trevor Lawrence 2021 Leaf HYPE! #49 Rookie Card Purple Shimmer 1 of 1 |
Trevor Lawrence 2021 Leaf HYPE! #49 Red SP, Only 5 Made Rookie Card PGI 10 |
Trevor Lawrence 2021 Leaf HYPE! #49 White Blank Back 1/1 Rookie Card PGI 10 |
1949 Leaf Kenny Washington 95 SGC 4.5 First Black Pro Before Jackie Robinson |
