The American
Card Catalog
Welcome
The Standard Guide
On All Collected Cards
And Their Values
Edited by
J. R. Burdick
Author of
The American Card Catalog
The Detroit Publishing Handbook
Copyright 1967 by Nostalgia Press, Inc.
CONDITION:
Overall, the book is in Fair condition. The wraps are edgeworn and scuffed. The spine is Fair, showing creasing and a split. The text block and pages are Fair, with some detached pages. The binding is Fair, with pages detaching.
ATTRIBUTES:
Illustrated edition. Softcover.
Page Count: 210
DESCRIPTION:
J. R. Burdick's "The American Card Catalog" is an indispensable reference work for collectors of American trading cards, particularly those produced before 1960. The book meticulously documents and categorizes a vast array of cards, including baseball cards, non-sports cards, and other ephemera that capture a unique slice of American popular culture. Burdick, a pioneering figure in the field of card collecting, dedicated years to compiling and organizing this information, establishing a foundational system for identifying and classifying cards that remains influential today. His work not only provides detailed listings but also offers insights into the history and evolution of card production and collecting.
This catalog holds significant historical and literary importance as it effectively standardized the language and methodology of card collecting. Before Burdick's comprehensive efforts, the hobby lacked a unified system for identification, making it challenging for collectors to communicate and trade effectively. His catalog provided the framework that allowed the hobby to grow into the sophisticated pursuit it is today. Burdick's classification system, with its distinctive 'N' (19th century) and 'T' (20th century tobacco) designations, became the industry standard, shaping how collectors understand and value their collections.
Collectors find this book particularly interesting because it is the seminal work in the field. It's not merely a list; it's a historical document that reflects the origins of an entire hobby. For anyone serious about American trading cards, especially those from the early to mid-20th century, Burdick's catalog is essential for identifying cards, understanding their context, and appreciating the rich history of this unique form of popular art and advertising. It offers a direct link to the foundational efforts that shaped the collecting world.
FLASHBACK TO 1967 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1967, the Six-Day War reshaped the Middle East, while the Summer of Love bloomed in San Francisco, soundtracked by new psychedelic rock. Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant, and Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court Justice, signaling profound societal shifts. Meanwhile, the cultural landscape was further enriched by the release of Gabriel García Márquez's *One Hundred Years of Solitude*.
Bin Location: LIB