Lawson’s Patent Baseball Card Game

Lawson's Patent Baseball Card Game is baseball with cards. A set of Lawson's Patent Baseball Cards is currently being offered on eBay. The game was originally patented on September 16, 1884, is the earliest known base ball card game ever produced, according to 19cbaseball.com. Lawson's game was a tremendous success and in 1885 Thomas arranged a promotional tournament of the eight National League clubs, played by real members of the teams over the course of their base ball seasons, with prizes that Lawson posted himself including "$1,600 in handsome trophies." Winners of early round games received cash prizes and an "elegant" silver ball, while the champions were to be awarded $500 and a silver bat.