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Football Cards

The origins of modern football date back to 19th-century Britain, when the sports of soccer and rugby were purportedly combined. By the late 1800s, the concept of football migrated to America, and Yale Coach Walter Camp is said to have founded the sport. Otherwise known as the “Father of Football,” Camp established rules still used on the field today.

Cigarette maker Goodwin and Company made the first known football card in 1888 featuring Yale Captain Henry Beecher. His was the only football card in the company’s 50-card “Champions” set. In 1894, Mayo Cut Plug made the first full card set consisting of 35 Ivy League players. The next football cards weren’t made until the 1930s, when Goudy Gum released its “Sport Kings” set, and the National Chicle Company made a 36-card set. Another production break followed, and by the late ‘40s, Bowman Gum and Leaf Candy Company joined the industry. Topps appeared in the ‘50s, buying out Bowman and becoming a leading card maker through the late ‘80s.

Professional football took nearly half a century to expand, with the card industry following a similar curve. All things considered, a number of standouts exist from early days, and Bowman’s 1950s sets yielded some winners. Today, if you’re speculating future high-earners, look for rookie cards of top draft picks and popular quarterbacks.


Quick Facts

  • The 1958 NFL Championship between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts is known as, “The Greatest Game Ever Played”
  • The most coveted card in football is likely the 1935 Bronco Nagurski. The card sold on a 2011 auction for $240,000
  • In 2012, a Michigan family found an 1894 Mayo John Dunlop card while going through estate items at a family member’s farmhouse; the family admitted nearly throwing the card in the garbage

Recommended Items at Auction

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Collection of Assorted 1950s & 1960s Football Card
Nov 14, 10:00 AM CST
Collection of Assorted 1950s & 1960s Football Card
by Donley Auction Services
Est: $100- $200
$30014 Bids
1950 BOWMAN EDDIE PRICE PSA 5
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1950 BOWMAN EDDIE PRICE PSA 5
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$1811 Bids
2020 SELECT DIE CUT BLUE PRIZM JALEN HURTS ROOKIE PSA 10
Nov 29, 4:00 PM EST
2020 SELECT DIE CUT BLUE PRIZM JALEN HURTS ROOKIE PSA 10
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $200
$147 Bids
2024 Score Football Hobby Box - 12 packs/30 cards per
Nov 12, 9:00 PM EST
2024 Score Football Hobby Box - 12 packs/30 cards per
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $100
$377 Bids
1963 TOPPS BART STARR
Nov 17, 8:00 PM EST
1963 TOPPS BART STARR
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $100
$96 Bids
1972 Topps #165 John Unitas EX
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1972 Topps #165 John Unitas EX
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$86 Bids
1980 Topps #160 Walter Payton NM
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1980 Topps #160 Walter Payton NM
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$96 Bids
1971 Topps #1 John Unitas PSA 6
Nov 14, 6:00 PM EST
1971 Topps #1 John Unitas PSA 6
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$85 Bids
1980-early 2000s nfl rookie cards including
Nov 10, 9:00 AM MST
1980-early 2000s nfl rookie cards including
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$405 Bids
1982 Topps #489 Joe Montana
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1982 Topps #489 Joe Montana
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$115 Bids
1970 Topps #150 Joe Namath EX
Nov 19, 6:00 PM EST
1970 Topps #150 Joe Namath EX
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $20
$54 Bids
1963 TOPPS JOHN UNITAS
Nov 17, 8:00 PM EST
1963 TOPPS JOHN UNITAS
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $100
$124 Bids
2024 Donruss Elite Football Blaster Box
Nov 12, 9:00 PM EST
2024 Donruss Elite Football Blaster Box
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $100
$124 Bids
2022 Absolute Hobby Box
Nov 29, 4:00 PM EST
2022 Absolute Hobby Box
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $200
$254 Bids
2024 Score Football Hobby Box
Nov 29, 4:00 PM EST
2024 Score Football Hobby Box
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $10- $200
$264 Bids
1980 Topps #65 Ken Stabler NM
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1980 Topps #65 Ken Stabler NM
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$44 Bids
2005 UPPER DECK DREW BREES RELIC /99
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
2005 UPPER DECK DREW BREES RELIC /99
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$54 Bids
2022 Prizm Anquan Bolding 1 Of 1
Nov 11, 2:00 PM EST
2022 Prizm Anquan Bolding 1 Of 1
by Saco River Auction
Est: $50- $100
$454 Bids
1989 PRO SET BARRY SANDERS ROOKIE
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1989 PRO SET BARRY SANDERS ROOKIE
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$44 Bids
1957 Topps #26 Ollie Matson EX
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1957 Topps #26 Ollie Matson EX
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$54 Bids
1980 Topps #160 Walter Payton NM
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1980 Topps #160 Walter Payton NM
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$64 Bids
1982 Topps #302 Walter Payton NM
Nov 10, 6:00 PM EST
1982 Topps #302 Walter Payton NM
by Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.
Est: $5- $50
$44 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Football Cards


Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.

Gem-Mint Auctions, LLC.

Sports Collectibles

Sports Collectibles

Saco River Auction

Saco River Auction