Trading Cards - When did they start?

From approximately 1887 to 1901, small cloth strips were circulated with the names of baseball players on them. These original cards were very rare, and are worth up to $800 USD today.
From 1902 to 1935, printed cardboard baseball cards originated as gimmicks distributed with tobacco products, bubble gum, and other snacks (similar to prizes in cereal boxes today). During this period, there was wide variation in the production of cards, mostly because the style was new and distributors had not yet decided on a particular style. Many cards also had rare flaws and misprints because manufacturers were still experimenting with different production methods.
After 1936, most of the card manufacturers had decided on a certain style, and most cards remained the same. The cards themselves ceased to be packaged along with other products and became a product in their own right.
Today, the development of the Internet has given rise to various online communities, through which members can trade collectible cards with each other. Cards are often bought and sold via http://www.thecollectorsbay.com/ and other online retail sources. This blog brought to you by http://www.thecollectorsbay.com/Sports-Cards--Football,category,1867,parent_id,categories