The vast majority of Baines cards which were released from the 1880’s to the end of the First World War in 1919 are regularly found in very poor condition, often with rough edges and very tatty. How on earth can this happen to cards in almost every collection ?

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One of the cards that Baines issued told its own story: According to this card the children of the era played a game called "Who's nearest", with....yes you've guessed it.....Baines Cards. The picture clearly shows the children of the day throwing the Baines card against a wall and then bouncing back onto the pavement. The card is rough with all the edges damaged like so many that turn up in auction houses and dealers tables.

 

Even the West Ham United card illustrated below depicts children playing a game with the cards.