Background
In 1887, J. Baines obtained a patent that would become the first football (soccer) cards known in the world. His designs for cards were artistic and were in the shape of shields or club crests.
The J. Baines shields span across various decades and identifying or dating some of the shields can be incredibly hard.
Below will be an image gallery and a rudimentary “checklist” of Baines shields that I have seen. The checklist and gallery is mainly focused on football cards that feature a portrait shot.
Card Gallery
1897 Series
Assorted
Checklist
1897 Series
Steve Bloomer (Derby County) - Noel Wrye
Gay & Smith (Corinthians) - Noel Wrye
Assorted
Billy Meredith (Manchester City) - @elrey_collection
Arthur Wharton (Darlington) - @elrey_collection
William Foulke (Sheffield United) - @elrey_collection
G.O. Smith (England)
Bobby Steele (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Queen's Park Rangers
Jack Lyall (Manchester City)
Liverpool “Well Kicked”
C. Wreford Brown “Play Up England” (Corinthians)
Harry Ford (Chelsea)
Lot Jones (Manchester City)
E. Needham (Sheffield United)
Lintott (Leeds City)
J. Logan (Aston Villa)
J. McDonnell (Bohemians)
I. Toone (Notts County)
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