Sports cards have been a popular hobby for collectors for over 100 years, and there are several major brands that produce sports cards today. In this blog post, we will explore the history and current offerings of three of the top sports card brands: Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck.
Panini
Panini is an Italian company that has been producing sports cards since the 1950s. In the 1970s, the company began producing soccer cards, and it quickly became one of the leading sports card brands in Europe. In the 1990s, Panini expanded into the United States market and began producing cards for various sports, including basketball, football, baseball, and hockey. Today, Panini is known for producing high-quality cards with a wide range of themes and insert sets.
Topps
Topps is an American company that has been producing sports cards since the 1940s. The company was founded by Morris Shorin, who started producing baseball cards as a way to recycle leftover gum from World War II. Topps quickly became one of the leading sports card brands in the United States and has produced cards for various sports, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. Topps is known for its iconic design and for producing a wide range of insert sets and special edition cards.
Upper Deck
Upper Deck is an American company that was founded in 1988 with the goal of producing high-quality sports cards. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-end cards with detailed graphics and advanced printing techniques. Upper Deck has produced cards for various sports, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and golf. The company is known for its iconic holograms and for producing a wide range of insert sets and special edition cards.
Conclusion
Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck are three of the top sports card brands in the world. Each company has a unique history and produces a wide range of sports cards with various themes and insert sets. Whether you are a beginner collector or a seasoned pro, these brands offer a wide range of options for building a sports card collection.