OVERVIEW OF TRADING CARDS

What are they? How do they work?

1. Trading Cards have artwork / photos / designs on the front with website links on the back to direct the flow of information to a desired destination on the web.
2. Website / Info links on cards can offer promotions, downloads, gifts and information - building interactivity with an audience.

Why Trading Cards?

1. Collectible : People keep and collect Trading Cards because each card has a timeless value as a piece of art. Cards in a Series also tell a story.
2. Size : Measuring out at 2.5"x3.5", Trading Cards are the size of a credit card, fit in any wallet, and are easy to distribute at business meetings, events and music shows.

Where did Trading Cards Start?
Trading Cards can be seen as the modern incarnation of several much older artistic forms. Because of their small size and usually modest price they have been linked to portrait miniatures, which flourished in the 14th century. Until this time art collecting was mainly the hobby of the Noble and Royal classes.
In later centuries Trading Cards were used throughout Europe and America as art training tools. Artists would trade the cards between themselves to study each others techniques and explore new art movements. The Impressionists utilized both sides of their Trading Cards by featuring art on one side and a brief resume on the other. Impressionists often traded the cards with art collectors in exchange for room, board, and art supplies.
In 1887 "baseball" cards started to appear. These early cards are now very rare and it is uncertain what they were made of. During the period 1902 - 1935 baseball was in its golden years and cards during this time were usually sold with bubble gum, chewing tobacco and Cracker Jacks. In the1960s the modern Trading Card size of 2.5" x 3.5" size was standardized.