Pre-War Glossary w/ American Card Catalog Table

The world of pre-war sports cards is rich with history, nuance, and debate. Collectors often encounter terms that have evolved over time or carry specific meanings unique to early card issues. This glossary was created to clarify those terms and attributes that directly influence how we identify, classify, and evaluate rookie cards from the pre-war era. With the help of Jefferson Burdick and his American Card Catalog, which gives us a good foundation for clearly and consistently defining these concepts, the glossary aims to promote a more accurate understanding of card origins, production methods, distribution types, and how these factors contribute to a card’s legitimacy as a rookie card.

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The American Card Catalog – often referred to as the ACC, is the landmark reference book created by Jefferson R. Burdick and first published in 1939. It was the first serious effort to organize and document every known type of trading card issued in the United States before World War II. Burdick introduced the familiar letter-and-number classification system—like T-Cards for tobacco issues, E-Cards for caramel cards, and R-Cards for early gum cards—that collectors still use today. His work gave structure and consistency to a hobby that had previously been scattered and undocumented.

More than just a catalog, the ACC laid the foundation for how collectors study, identify, and communicate about pre-war cards. It remains one of the most influential resources in the hobby, bridging the gap between early card history and modern collecting standards.

Board Game Issue – a type of sports card issue that was originally distributed as part of a commercial board or tabletop game rather than as a traditional trading card product. These cards were included in the packaging or game components and were intended for gameplay use, not for individual card collecting or retail sale as trading cards.

Cabinet – a type of oversized photographic collectible from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, consisting of a real photograph mounted on stiff cardboard backing. Cabinet cards often featured studio portraits of athletes and were distributed as rewards for tobacco or product promotions, mail-order items, or team issues.

Commercial Issue – a commercial issue refers to a set of trading cards that was mass-produced and widely distributed to the general public, typically through consumer products like tobacco packs, candy, or gum. These are considered the standard, mainstream releases of their time, as opposed to regional minor, test, or promotional issues with more limited circulation.

Exhibits – a large-format trading card, typically 3.25 x 5.25 postcard-sized. Produced by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago and distributed primarily through coin-operated vending machines at arcades, amusement parks, and other public venues from the 1920s to the 1960s. Cards covered a wide range of popular culture and are often viewed as entertainment cards because they included: Hollywood Stars, Musicians & Entertainers, Cowboys & Western Stars, Boxers, Wrestlers, Miscellaneous Themes – military, scenic views, romance, and even novelty joke cards.

It is important to note here. For many years, hobbyists have referred to vintage postcards as “Exhibits”. However, the cards themselves were made by multiple other manufacturers and offered through the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago’s vending machines.

Exhibits Post-Card Back – in the same family as Exhibits (see above), but the post-card back versions were only made for a short window. These were issued mainly in the 1920s and early 1930s. Most known examples date from around 1925-1931.

Food Issue – cards that were distributed as premiums with food products rather than through standard commercial sales. Food issues were often regional or promotional in nature, tied to grocery stores, restaurants, or packaged goods.

International Release – (a.k.a. Export or Foreign) a card or set that was produced specifically for markets outside of North America, often with localized packaging, language variations, or exclusive checklist. International releases may or may not be considered official products but are distributed through overseas channels rather than the standard North American market.

Magazine – cards that were printed within magazines. Either inserted or directly affixed on the magazine pages, and required collectors to cut them out by hand. These cards were often produced as promotional tie-ins and could feature athletes, celebrities, or special photo shoots not seen in regular card sets.

• Hand-Cut – cards that were originally issued as part of a larger sheet, strip, or package design and had to be cut apart by hand by the collector.
• Common distributions can include, but are not limited to, Strip cards of the 1920s, Hostess Panels of the 1970s, or SI for Kids magazines.

Mail-Order – refers to cards or premiums that could only be obtained by sending away for them directly from the manufacturer or distributors. These required collectors to mail in coupons, wrappers, proof of purchase, or payment to receive the cards. (See “Premium” too)

Member-Exclusive – available only to members of a specific club, subscription, or collector program, and not released to the general public through standard commercial issues. (Also known as Subscription Issue or Referral Reward, i.e., 1929 Rogers Peet)

Novelty Card – a collectible produced primarily for entertainment, decoration, or promotional appeal rather than for formal inclusion in a licensed trading card set. These items often feature unofficial player images, unusual materials or non-standard formats. They are typically unlicensed, mass-produced and distributed through unconventional channels such as vending machines, toy stores, or novelty shops. Their intent was amusement or impulse purchase, not authentic trading card set.

Oddball – a catch-all term used by collectors to describe cards or sets that fall outside of mainstream, commercially distributed products. Oddball issues often come from unusual sources, non-traditional formats, or limited promotional runs.

Photo – a collectible item produced in the form of an actual photographic print, rather than a lithographed or printed trading card. Prewar photos were often black-and-white or sepia-toned, developed from real negatives, and distributed as premiums, mail-order items, or team-issued collectibles. Considered distinct from card issues, more akin to memorabilia, but often cataloged alongside prewar cards due to similar distribution methods.

Photo-Card – a collectible card produced using a real photographic image rather than a lithograph or artwork, typically mounted on card stock or printed directly onto photographic paper. They often resemble trading cards in size, from oversized to small, but the format carries the authentic look and detail of true photography.

Postcard – a collectible that features an athlete or team image on postcard stock, typically with a back formatted for mailing (address and message sections). Postcards can be either printed on lithographs, halftones, colorized images, or true photographic prints. (Also see Real Photo Postcard)

Premium Issue – a special card or collectible item offered as a bonus or reward, typically obtained through mail-order, in-store redemption, or product promotions, rather than standard pack insertion. Premiums were often larger, higher in quality, or distinct from regular card issues.

Promotional – refers to a card or collectible item produced primarily as an advertising tool rather than for direct sale or inclusion in a standard card set. In the pre-war era, these cards were often distributed by manufacturers of products, retailers, or product brands to promote their goods or services — such as tobacco, candy, bread, or sporting goods.

Promotional cards typically featured athletes or teams to attract consumer interest and were sometimes given away at events, inserted in packaging, or mailed upon request. While some promotional issues hold significant historical or artistic value, they often differ from mainstream releases in terms of distribution methods, availability, and intent. For rookie card classification, a promotional card’s legitimacy depends on how closely it aligns with recognized standards of accessibility, production, and player representation during the athlete’s active career.

Real Photo Postcard – a postcard produced by developing an actual photographic image directly onto postcard stock, rather than printing a lithograph or reproduction. These were popular in the early 20th century and often featured athletes in studio portraits, action shots, or team poses, with a postcard back suitable for mailing.

Regional Issue – a card set that was distributed within a limited geographic area rather than nationally. Regional issues exist across all eras and are often tied to local businesses, retailers, food companies, teams, or stadium giveaways.

Regional Major – a card that was distributed on a broad regional scale, larger than a single city or team issue but not truly national. Regional majors often came through large-area product promotions, such as tobacco, candy, bakery, or sporting goods brands that operated across multiple states or territories.

Regional Minor – a card that was distributed on a very limited local scale, often confined to a single city, small geographic area, or even just one team’s market. Regional minors were usually tied to local businesses, bakeries, dairies, or small candy companies, making their circulation extremely narrow.

Schedule Card – is a type of card issued by a team, sponsor, or promotional partner that features the team’s season schedule, often for one of the four major North American sports, alongside a player image, team logo, or advertising design. While similar in size and appearance to traditional trading cards, these were primarily intended as informational or promotional handouts rather than as part of a formal trading card set.

Sticker – a collectible printed on self-adhesive stock designed to be peeled and stuck to a surface, more specifically on an adjacent sticker album. Stickers may be issued as standalone sticker sets or as pack inserts within traditional card products. This is the preferred way to collect in the international soccer market. Distinction: not to be confused with sticker autographs, where a signed adhesive label is applied to a card.

Strip Cards –  refer to a type of trading card issued primarily during the 1910s through the early 1930s. Buyers would cut the cards apart by hand, which is why most surviving examples show uneven or hand-trimmed edges. They were produced on thin, low-quality paper stock with simple or crude artwork compared to contemporary tobacco or caramel issues. They were not inserted into consumer products but rather sold as novelty items or given away as premiums, making them among the more affordable and widely accessible card types of the pre-war era.

Supplements – were large-format premiums—often photographs or lithographs distributed through newspapers, magazines, or special mail-in offers during the pre-war era. They were typically printed on thin paper stock rather than traditional card material and served as bonus inserts to attract readers or subscribers. Many early sports supplements featured prominent athletes and teams, making them historically important pieces of sports imagery. However, because they were designed as promotional premiums rather than as part of a traditional card set, supplements are generally considered adjacent to true trading cards.

Team Issue – a card or photo set that was produced and distributed directly by a sports team or by paid sponsors, rather than through a commercial product line. Team issues often featured players in roster form, portraits, or action shots, and were sold or given away at stadiums, team stores, or fan events. Typically, printed on thinner stock and/or in odd sizes.

Test Issue – a limited-production card set released by a manufacturer as a trial run to evaluate design, distribution, or consumer response. Test issues were not intended for wide national release and were often confined to a specific region, market, or short time frame. This test allowed companies to experiment.

Tribute – a card produced to honor or commemorate a player, milestone, or event, rather than as part of the standard base checklist. Tribute cards may appear within a set as a special subset, insert, or standalone product line and are designed to highlight a player’s career achievements or legacy.

The American Card Catalog (ACC)

How to Read the ACC Codes

The American Card Catalog (ACC), created by Jefferson Burdick, established the first organized system for identifying and classifying trading cards. Each letter prefix (such as T, E, or R) designates a specific type of issue—often defined by its production source, distribution method, or era of release. For example, T-Cards refer to tobacco issues, while E-Cards denote caramel candy issues.

This system became the universal language for collectors and historians studying pre-war cards. It allows hobbyists to trace the origins of a set, compare production qualities, and understand how certain issues fit into the evolution of the rookie card. The table below outlines each ACC category and what it represents within the broader context of card history.

American Card Catalog (ACC) Classification System

Why the ACC Still Matters Today

Understanding the American Card Catalog classifications is essential for anyone studying pre-war rookie cards. Each ACC category reveals not only how a card was produced and distributed, but also how accessible it was to the general public—key factors when determining a card’s authenticity and significance as a rookie card.

By viewing pre-war issues through the lens of Burdick’s system, collectors gain historical context and a deeper appreciation for how the hobby evolved. The ACC remains the foundation upon which modern standards are built, bridging the earliest days of sports card production with the structured collecting principles we rely on today.

Note: OpenAI assisted me with this glossary, but I verified it against the sources provided.