From Baseball Cards to Garbage Pail Kids
When I was a child, the boys traded baseball cards and the girls collected Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls. Then this gross little card called Garbage Pail Kids came along and suddenly both boys and girls traded them. They came with stickers, too! We had them on our school books, stuck inside of our lockers and plastered on our bicycles. I remember how serious some kids were about them. Collecting every card in the series. Keeping them stored in plastic sleeves in a three ring binder. The same way that baseball cards are collected and the same way that some people store their collected art cards. All this done in the hopes that they would someday be worth something. We already know that there is value in a baseball card, especially if you own a rare one. Garbage Pail Kids can be found at Ebay. So, were they worth saving? Whether or not the cards ended up retaining or gaining in value, the point of collecting is because it is fun. So be it with Art Cards and ACEO. However, since you are able to collect both Art Cards and ACEO that are original pieces, the value is definately worth more than a Garbage Pail Kid Card.
How Trading Cards Got Their Start
In the 1700′s, the people in France and England realized that they could advertise on playing cards. Playing cards then became little works of art in their own right. The Impressionists traded their own artist cards for art supplies, food and even room and board. They were even known to sell them for money. In the 1800′s, baseball cards were developed and it wasn’t until later that the trading card size was standardized to that of a playing card. 2-1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches.
If you grew up in the 50s you may remember how many parents played cards on set nights of the week. They played Bridge, Canasta, Poker, Gin, to name a few. It was a way to socialize. First at one family’s house and the next week at another. The playing cards that they used often had different pictures on the backsides. Horses, sailboats, landscapes, dogs, etc. Kids used spare cards to build houses out of cards and they also traded off the different cards with their friends. It was the rage before Garbage Pail Kids.
So is it so unusual that we, after generation and generation of card traders, should be surprised that Art Cards are such a great and popular hobby? Not at all. Baseball cards are still extremely popular and there is a great following and many books and other games developed after a simple card called Pokemon! Collecting ATC and ACEO is a hobby that will maintain itself for years to come since it is open to all ages and people of skill level. It allows you to meet new people and develop your art skills. Trading Artists Cards is a keeper of a hobby! Be glad you are an enthusiast!
SET OF 500 GARBAGE PAIL KIDS CARDS! FROM 1986-88! EARLY SERIES!
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As an artist who produces art cards, it is interesting to find that there is a heated debate over these tiny masterpieces.
Richmond Art Gallery Exhibit-Artists Wanted
8 September – 30 October 2009
Closing Celebration & Trading Session:
Friday, 30 October, 7–8:30pm
The RAG’s 4th Annual Artist Trading Card Exhibition is a display of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) from local, national, and international participants. Everyone is invited to participate, and all techniques and mediums are welcome. ATCs must be original artworks*, and may be in a series, edition or multiple. Please “sign” the back, and contact information may also appear on the back of each card if desired. ATCs will be traded on the closing night of the exhibition.
*Please note that photocopied works will not be traded
How to Enter:
Send in 9 Artist Trading Cards in a standard 9-sleeve plastic sheet (9 cards per sheet). Cards will be displayed in the plastic sheets. Cards must be sized to fit into standard plastic sleeves (designed for hockey/baseball cards), and each measure 2 ½” x 3 ½” in order to qualify. All works received that follow this criteria will be exhibited. Please sign the back of each ATC and include your city/town so that others will know whom they have traded with. Include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to the Richmond Art Gallery.**
**USA participants please send $2 in US funds for return postage. International Artists please include a Postal Money Order or International Reply Coupon for return postage purchase.
Entries must be postmarked before September 4, 2009. Please attach a copy of our entry form with your submission and send to:
ATTN: RAG ATC Exhibition
Richmond Art Gallery
7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond BC
Canada
V6Y 1R9
For more information about ATC’s at the RAG, or to join our email contact list, contact Kathy Tycholis at ktycholis@richmond.ca
Information is provided by Richmond Art Gallery
More details can be found at their website
www.richmondartgallery.org