History of the basketball card innovations

[laurentolaj]

Hi everybody

I had created a first topic about the history of basketball card innovations but since I am limited on the number of pictures to illustrate them, then I have to create a new one in 5 parts!

Please do not hesitate to correct my listing if I have made a mistake or to add another innovation if one is missing!

Also, if you have any of these I could be interested in buying!

Circa 1920 La Sud Americana Baraja Fantasia Sports Basket-Ball Playing
Circa 1923 Baschett-Ball #1 Una Fase Emozionante
Late 1920s Dibujos Originales de Masia, Aun Podemos Empatar #38
1946 & 1947 Kellogg's All-Wheat Sports Tips Cards FC9-3
1950-51 Lakers Scott's #7 John Kundla CO
1953 Editorial Fher Sport Magico #63 Harlem Globetrotters

Kind regards

Laurent



First ever basketball sticker/card : 1909 Murad College Series T51 NOF #14 Williams College/Basketball (I do not consider 1903 tetlow as a basketball card)



First ever non-US basketball card: Circa 1920 La Sud Americana Baraja Fantasia Sports Basket-Ball Playing Cards

First ever basketball card to play: Circa 1920 La Sud Americana Baraja Fantasia Sports Basket-Ball Playing Cards

First ever basketball sticker/card featuring real players: Circa 1923 Baschett-Ball #1 Una Fase Emozionante Card

First ever basketball card featuring a team:1924 Willards Chocolates Edmonton Grads



First ever basketball card with an individual player: 1925 Dominion Chocolate



First ever basketball card with a comics: Late 1920s Dibujos Originales de Masia, Aun Podemos Empatar #38

First ever basketball card with a professional jersey: 1933 Sport Kings



First ever basketball card featuring a retired or deceased player: 1933 Sport Kings



First ever basketball stamp: 1934 Far Eastern Games Stamps



First ever basketball card/sticker featuring players under their national team: 1936 Pet Cremer Olympia #76



First ever basketball card about play game: 1946 & 1947 Kellogg's All-Wheat Sports Tips Cards FC9-3

First ever basketball sticker/card from a basketball set: 1948 Bowman



First ever self-developing basketball card: 1948 Topps Magic Photos



First ever basketball card featuring a specific game: 1948 Topps Magic Photos #B6 Manhattan Beats



First ever basketball cards/stickers to assemble: 1950 Goles y Dobles





First ever basketball card featuring a team logo: 1950 Goles y Dobles



First ever basketball card featuring a coach who is not a player: 1950-51 Lakers Scott's #7 John Kundla CO

First ever basketball card with 3D glass: 1953 Editorial Fher Sport Magico #63 Harlem Globetrotters

First ever basketball subset card: 1961-62 Fleer IA



First ever basketball card with 3D lenticular technology: 1960s Vari-Vue Lenticular Flicker Card A S-18



First ever self adhesive basketball sticker: 1969-70 Panini Campioni Dello Sport



First ever basketball checklist card: 1969-70 Topps



First ever jumbo size basketball card: 1969-70 Topps



First ever basketball insert card: 1969-70 Topps Rulers



First ever basketball card to unfold:1969-70 Topps Rulers





First ever basketball card featuring a team event: 1970-71 Topps Knicks Celebrate



First ever basketball card featuring several players: 1970-71 Topps



First ever basketball card about an award winning or all star selection:1970-71 Topps



First ever mini audio disc: 1971 Mattel Mini-Records





First ever basketball card about a draft expansion: 1974-75 Topps #92 New Orleans Jazz/Emblem; Expansion/Draft Picks on Back



First ever basketball card to scratch: 1974-75 Topps Rules for Basketball



First ever basketball card about the Basketball HOF:1978-79 Kentucky #4 (Cliff) Hagan's Hall



First ever basketball card featuring a mascot: 1978-79 Supersonics Police #15 T. Wheedle/mascot



First ever perforated basketball card: 1980-81 Topps



First ever basketball card of a General Manager: 1982-83 Nuggets Police #NNO Carl Scheer Pres/GM



First ever basketball card featuring players under all star jerseys: 1983 Star All-Star Game



First ever basketball card sold through exclusive dealers: 1983 Star All-Star Game



First ever basketball card distributed during a special event only: 1984 Star Award Banquet



First ever basketball card featuring a player during slam dunk contest: 1984 Star Slam Dunk



First ever basketball card distributed in a magazine: 1985 Globetrotters



First ever basketball card/sticker with prism effect: 1985 Prism Jewel



First ever reprinted basketball card: 1986 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Gum Reprint





First ever multi-sports basketball card: 1986 Panini SuperSport Stickers #107 Angel Nieto/Kareem Abdul Jabbar METAL



First ever metallized basketball card: 1986 Panini Supersport

[laurentolaj]

First ever basketball “sticker on a sticker”: 1986 Panini Supersport



First ever metallic basketball card: 1986-2002 Basketball Hall of Fame Metallic



First ever plastic basketball card: 1986-87 Spanish Plastic Card



First ever basketball card of a referee: 1986-02 Basketball Hall of Fame Metallic David Walsh



First ever card linked to a game contest: 1988 Foot Locker Slam Fest



First ever basketball card with a franchise jersey: 1988-89 Panini Stickers Spanish



First ever basketball phone card: 1989 France Telecom Telecarte Saint Quentin Basket Ball



First ever basketball magnet: 1989 Magnetables



First ever basketball collection issued in two different series: 1989-90 Hoops







First ever hot printed basketball card: 1989-90 North Carolina Collegiate Collection Gold Edition



First ever basketball parallel card: 1989-90 North Carolina Collegiate Collection Gold Edition



First ever basketball card with embossed part: 1990 Action Packed Promos



First ever basketball card sold through mail order: 1990 Hoops 100 Superstars





First ever autographed basketball card: 1990 Star Pics Autographs





First ever basketball set with exclusive insert sets inserted in special packs: 1990-91 Fleer







First ever basketball set featuring current year rookies under their NBA team uniform: 1990-91 Fleer Update



First ever basketball card about non-basketball life of a player: 1990-91 Hoops



First ever basketball booklet card: 1990-91 Hoops CollectABooks



First ever basketball rookie card identified as a rookie card: 1990-91 Hoops



First ever basketball hand numbered card: 1991 Classic Autographs



First ever Hologram basketball card: 1991 Courtside Holograms



First ever serially numbered basketball card: 1991 Smokey Larry Johnson





First ever plexiglass basketball card: 1991-92 Fleer 3D/Wrapper Redemption



First ever print to order basketball card: 1991-92 Fleer 3D/Wrapper Redemption





First ever real 3D basketball card: 1991-92 Fleer 3D/Wrapper Redemption



First ever autographed basketball card under all-star jersey: 1991-92 Fleer Autograph Dominique Wilkins



First ever basketball card with a seal of authenticity: 1991-92 Fleer autograph



First ever basketball card distributed after membership to big brands only: 1991-92 Front Row Charter Member







First ever basketball card designed exclusively for international market by US brands: 1991-92 Front Row Italian



First ever bilinguish basketball card: 1991-92 Front Row Italian/Japanese





First ever basketball card with facsimile autograph: 1991-92 Front Row Limited Edition Dikembe Mutombo



First ever basketball card about a player's milestone:1991-92 Hoops MS



First ever basketball card distributed in packs found within another purchase: 1991-92 Hoops McDonald's





First ever basketball card about a player's single game stat line:1991-92 SkyBox



First ever basketball mini card: 1991-92 SkyBox Canadian Minis



First ever basketball card featuring player during 3-point shootout contest: 1991-92 Upper Deck #484 Craig Hodges LD



First ever basketball card autographed by a retired player: 1991-92 Upper Deck Jerry West Heroes #AU Jerry West AU/2500



First ever rainbow set to be found in a box: 1991-92 Wild Card



First ever Redeemed basketball card: 1991-92 Wild Card Redemption



First ever buyback autographed card: 1992 QVC Autograph 1991-92 Hoops McDonald's #53 Patrick Ewing USA /1992



First ever autographed basketball card under national team jersey: 1992 QVC Autograph 1991-92 Hoops McDonald's #53 Patrick Ewing USA /1992



First ever multi-player autographed card: 1992 QVC Classic Four Sport LPs #LP14B Kareem Abdul-Jabbar AU/Shaquille O'Neal AU/2500



First ever basketball pog: 1992 Courtside



First ever basketball card mixing former teammates:1992-93 SkyBox School Ties



First ever basketball card with 2 different players on each side: 1992-93 SkyBox Thunder and Lightning





First ever basketball set with a throwback design: 1992-93 Topps Archives



First Ever Redeemed Rookie Card: 1992-93 Upper Deck Trade Card



First Ever basketball card of a commissioner: 1993 Action Packed Hall of Fame #73 Larry O'Brien



First ever acetate basketball card: 1993 Classic Acetate Draft Stars



First ever laser cut basketball card: 1993-94 Classic C3 Gold Crown Cut Lasercut



First ever refractor basketball card: 1993-94 Finest Refractors

[laurentolaj]

First ever redemption basketball card identified as a first day issue: 1993-94 Stadium Club First day Issue



First ever redemption basketball card for which you had to combine points or cards: 1993-94 Stadium Club Frequent Flyer Upgrades



First ever die-cut basketball card: 1993-94 Upper Deck SE Die-Cut All-Stars



First ever basketball card on a basketball movie: 1994 Skybox Blue Chips



First ever pop up basketball card: 1994-95 Assets Die Cuts



First ever basketball set based on photograph quality:1994-95 Emotion



First ever cutting edge technology basketball card: 1994-95 Emotion Skymotion





First ever basketball card with protecting peeling: 1994-95 Finest



First ever basketball card with random colors: 1994-95 Hoops Big Numbers Rainbow



First ever basketball card with plastic within a frame: 1994-95 Hoops Grant Hill Wrapper Exchange



First ever basketball card textured on surface: 1994-95 SP Championship Future Playoff Heroes



First ever basketball card with animated hologram: 1994-95 SP Holoviews





First ever mecanichal basketball card: 1994-95 Stadium Club Stat Wheel Spinners



First ever glittered basketball card: 1994-95 Utra Power



First ever basketball card celebrating a player's come back: 1994-95 Upper Deck Jordan He's Back Reprints



First ever basketball box with one autographed card per pack: 1995 Classic Autographed Edition





First ever basketball hot pack insert: 1995 Classic Five Sport On Fire



First ever wooden basketball card: 1995 Classic Visions Hardcourt Skills



First ever basketball card sculpted in precious metal: 1995 Highland Mint



First ever basketball card with slight relief: 1995 Pacific Green



First ever basketball card with cel-chrome technology: 1995 Signature Rookies Kromax Super Acrylium





First ever basketball packs on a single player: 1995 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Milk Caps



First ever basketball card about a physical attribute: 1995-96 Collector's Choice International NBA Extremes



First ever multi-design base set according to the team: 1995-96 fleer



First ever die cut basketball cards to assemble: 1995-96 Fleer Jam Session Die Cuts



First ever basketball cards shadowed: 1995-96 Fleer Jam Session



First ever basketball card distributed partially by players: 1995-96 Topps Gallery Player's Private Issue



First ever basketball card with mystery player on front: 1995-96 Topps Mystery Finest



First ever basketball tatoo: 1996 Kraft Foods Dream Team Tatoo



First ever basketball card with a piece of jersey: 1996 Press Pass Jersey Cards



First ever ceramic basketball card: 1996 Sports Impressions Ceramic Card



First ever 1-card pack: 1996 SPX





First ever basketball cards to assemble by sticking: 1996-97 Collector's Choice Stick Ums 2



First ever basketball card set with different level of scarcity inside it: 1996-97 Finest



First ever multi-level basketball card set: 1996-97 Flair Showcase



First ever autographed basketball card with different ink color according to scarcity: 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Autographics



First ever raw card inserted in a box: 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Rubies



First ever basketball “card in a card”: 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Thunder and Lightning



First ever basketball card set upgraded from another one: 1996-97 Topps Chrome



First ever basketball card celebrating a player under two different jerseys: 1996-97 Upper Deck

[laurentolaj]

First ever basketball card with premium attribute according to the serial number: 1997 Bleachers/Fleer Gold Foil



First ever basketball card with a piece of basketball: 1997 Collector's Edge Game Ball



First ever basketball card with pieces of memorabilia from several players: 1997 Press Pass Double Threat Double Thread Jerseys





First ever "upside down" basketball card: 1997 The Genuine Article Teammates



First ever phosphorescent basketball card: 1997 Wheels Rookie Thunder Lights Out





First even cards with paired serial numbering:1997-98 E-X2001 Essential Credentials





First ever basketball card with warp tech technology: 1997-98 E-X2001 Jambalaya



First ever basketball card with liquid inside: 1997-98 Flair Showcase Wave of the Future



First ever basketball card within a window sleeve card: 1997-98 Hoops 911



First ever basketball card to unseal: 1997-98 SkyBox Premium And One



First ever printing plate basketball card: 1997-98 Stadium Club Printing Plates



First ever short-printed RC: 1997-98 Ultra



First ever 1/1 card: 1997-98 Ultra Masterpieces





First ever basketball card with a piece of memorabilia under all star jersey: 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys #GJ13 Michael Jordan



First ever autographed basketball card with a piece of memorabilia: 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys #GJ13S Michael Jordan/Autographed Game Jersey



First ever basketball card with a sticker auto: 1998 SAGE Autographs



First ever basketball card promoting a sneaker: 1998 Upper Deck MJ Sticker Collection Stickers



First ever basketball card with a piece of shoe: 1998 Upper Deck MJx Michael Jordan /230



First ever binocular basketball card: 1998-99 SkyBox Thunder Flight School



First ever serially numbered basketball rookie card: 1998-99 SP Authentic Rookie



First ever regular basketball card set serially numbered: 1998-99 SPX Finite



First ever card from a special rookie pack: 1998-99 Spx Finite





First ever basketball DVD card: 1998-99 Upper Deck Encore PowerDeck



First ever basketball card with a piece of jersey officially declared as event worn: 1998-99 Upper Deck Game Jerseys



First ever basketball card with a piece of memorabilia from a retired player: 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Jerseys of the Century



First ever employee exclusive basketball card: 1999 Upper Deck Employee Game Jersey #NNO Michael Jordan



First ever thermal basketball card: 1999-00 Finest Leading Indicators





First ever basketball set with multi-level RC: 1999-00 Fleer Focus



First ever basketball card customized by customer: 1999-00 Hoops build your own card





First ever basketball card with a piece of net: 1999-00 SkyBox APEX Net Shredders



First ever basketball card celebrating the signature of a contract between a firm and a player: 1999-00 SkyBox APEX Lamar Odom #NNO



First ever basketball card with a piece of hat: 1999-00 SkyBox Dominion Hats Off



First ever autographed basketball rookie card: 1999-00 SPX Rookie



First ever basketball card with several pieces of memorabilia from a single player: 1999-00 SPx Winning Materials



First ever basketball card with a piece of memorabilia from a national team jersey: 1999-00 Stadium Club Pieces of Patriotism



First ever basketball card autographed by designer or photographer: 1999-00 Topps Gallery Heritage Artist Proof /175



First ever basketball card released through an auction by the producer: 1999-00 Topps Gallery Heritage







First ever basketball card with a fan selected picture: 1999-00 Topps Gallery Photo Gallery



First ever basketball card with a piece of jersey patch: 1999-00 Upper Deck Game Jersey Patch



First ever basketball card with a piece of floor: 1999-00 Upper Deck MJ Final Floor



First ever basketball card designed by customers: 1999-00 Upper Deck MVP Draw Your Own Trading Card



First ever basketball card set with serial number depending on players'attributes: 1999-00 Upper Deck Retro Inkredible Level 2



First ever basketball card with the text on back depending on the numerotation: 2000 SAGE HIT Prospector Solitaire





First ever basketball card with a postmark: 2000-01 E-X NBA Debut Postmarks

[laurentolaj]

First ever basketball graded set: 2000-01 Fleer Authority



First ever handprinted basketball card: 2000-01 Fleer Showcase In the Paint



First ever basketball card with a giclée original artwork: 2000-01 Fleer Showcase Avant Card



First ever basketball rookie card with a piece of memorabilia: 2000-01 Hoops Hot Prospects Rookie



First ever basketball card mixing NBA and college materials for one single player: 2000-01 Hoops Hot Prospects Vince Carter First In Flight #5 Vince Carter



First ever basketball collection with one memorabilia card per pack: 2000-01 SP Game Floor Authentic Floor



First ever autographed basketball rookie card with a piece of memorabilia: 2000-01 SPX Rookie



First ever basketball card with a skin: 2000-01 Topps Gold Label Game Jerseys Leather



First ever basketball card with a piece of NBA finals jersey: 2000-01 Topps Stars Game Jerseys



First ever basketball card stored by supplier until requested: 2001 eTopps Test Run players



First ever game used ticket: 2001-02 Fleer Authentix Ticket Stub / 2002 Fleer Authentix WNBA The Ticket





First ever basketball textile card: 2001-02 Fleer Focus Materialistic (I do not consider 1910 Murad Felts / Flanells as a card)



First ever basketball card from a replacement stock: 2001-02 Fleer Platinum Rack Pack Autograph







First ever basketball card with a cut autograph: 2001-02 Hoops Hot Prospects Certified Cuts



First ever basketball card with a piece of laces: 2001-02 Topps Chrome Lacing Up



First ever basketball card with a headband: 2001-02 Topps Heritage Unity



First ever basketball card with towel swatch: 2001-02 Topps Pristine Sweat and Tears



First ever basketball rookie card with patch and autograph (RPA): 2001-02 Ultimate Collection Platinum



First ever basketball redemption card redeemable online: 2001-02 Upper Deck Inspirations



First ever basketball card with a box score newspaper print: 2002-03 Fleer Box Score Box Score Debuts



First ever basketball card with a logoman: 2002-03 Stadium Club Logoman



First ever autographed basketball card edited after the player’s death: 2002-03 UD SuperStars Dual Legendary Cuts #WCWP Wilt Chamberlain/Walter Payton





First ever double basketball rookie card: 2003-04 Fleer Genuine Insider



First ever basketball card with a tag patch: 2003-04 Fleer Patchworks Licensed Apparel Tags



First ever basketball card signed by a Vice President of a card company: 2003-04 SkyBox LE Executive Proofs





First ever basketball card with a piece of baseball: 2003-04 Sweet Shot Sweet Spot Signatures



First ever basketball card with a manufactured Patch: 2003-04 Topps Jersey Edition SS



First ever basketball card encased in a card: 2003-04 Topps Rookie Matrix Mini



First ever autographed basketball card with the card company asking for an inscription: 2003-04 Upper Deck Legends Legendary Inscriptions



First ever letterman patch autographed card: 2006-07 Fleer Hot Prospects Rookie Materials Letter Autographs



First ever basketball card with a direct reference to an old card: 2006-07 Fleer Jordan's Platinum Influence



First ever autographed basketball card of a streetballer: 2006-07 Topps Marks of Excellence



First ever basketball card about family filiation: 2008-09 Topps In the Genes



First ever basketball card to rip: 2008-09 Topps Treasury Rip Cards





First ever basketball set with variations with different teams: 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard



First ever basketball card with a plugged in video : 2010-11 Panini Totally Certified HRX Video



First ever basketball card with shadow effect: 2011 Upper Deck World of Sports SPx Shadow Box



First ever basketball redemption card depending on a lottery: 2011-12 Panini Past and Present 2011 Draft Pick Redemptions Autographs



First ever basketball card drawn directly on the card: 2012 Leaf Las Vegas Summit Sketch Card



First ever basketball card designed by a player: 2012 Panini Originals Sketch Card





First ever basketball card with an enclosed diamond: 2012-13 Panini Flawless



First ever marketable basketball blank card offered to an artist: 2014 Leaf Best of Basketball Artist Proof



First ever basketball framed card: 2014-15 Panini Luxe Autographs



First ever digital basketball card: 2015 Panini Dunk Digital Collection



First ever laser-etched crystal card: 2015-16 Absolute Memorabilia Glass



First ever basketball card printed straight after a game and on demand: 2015-16 Panini Instant NBA finals



First ever basketball card from a rewarded pack: 2015-16 Panini Prizm Prizms White Sparkle





First ever basketball card about a basketball card auction: 2017 Heritage Auctions 1986 Fleer Wax Box



First ever basketball card from a replacement pack: 2018-19 Panini White Box







First ever digital basketball card protected by the blockchain technology: 2019-20 Panini Blockchain National Treasures Week 1



First ever basketball collection with all cards serially numbered 1/1: 2020 Leaf Signature Series



First ever augmented reality basketball card: 2021 Sequoia Games Flex NBA Tiles Promos



First ever pre-production basketball card inserted in a pack: 2021-22 Leaf Metal



First ever set with a negative version: 2023-24 Topps Chrome Negative Refractors



First ever basketball autographed card with a fingerprint proof: 2024 Burbank Promo Stephen Curry Canvas Fingerprint auto

[8collector34]

OMG, this is amazing! This will take days to study. Just flying trough the list one thing comes to mind;

97/98 Ultra was the first set with short print RCs. RCs were 1:4 packs.

[mindcycle]

Really great stuff OP. I’ll definitely be taking some time later to go through everything here.

[ChoChoRes]

Very fine work.

[duron]

Originally Posted by laurentolaj

First ever glittered basketball card: 2002-03 Fleer Box Score All Star (I do not consider 1997-98 Flair Wave of the Future as a glittered card because the glitters are not stuck on the card)

Can I ask why? Kind of an odd line to draw in the glittery sand. Don’t get me wrong, really appreciate this list.

Even with that caveat, wouldn’t the first ever be 94-95 Fleer Ultra Ultra Power?

[maconithappen]

you said 97-98 UD Game Jersey Jordan. I think any player in that set in general. I do agree with the Jordan auto version though. First auto game jersey and only player to have auto in that set.

[laurentolaj]

@ The mesiah, Smalltown, duron and 8collector34:

thank you for your contributions!
I update my lists and chase the corrected/new innovations!

@maconithappen

The jordan is first all star memo stuff and first auto memo, and the only one for both categories in that series.
First GU is from press pass 1996!

[skycat]

Awesome thread.

Here are some more innovation cards for you.

1st Kangaroo card. Rookie card that have a pouch for another mini baby rookie card. lol


1st motion in game card or set. Maybe???


1st postmark stamped card base on rookie draft team location.

[maconithappen]

@skycat Good point on press pass being the first, but nba the first was 97. The postmark rookie cards were first in the 2000-01 e-x. Here's my Miles.

[rustywest]

Wow, this must have taken quite some time to research.

Great thread and an interesting read indeed laurentolaj. A 2020 member providing content, rare bird.

Couple I thought about was: Who was first to dump a single raw card inside a box, for example 96/97 Skybox Ruby. Also 96/97 SP did it but with a different single card pack. I believe 94 Classic might have been first with a Grant Hill Promo card? They were always doing kooky sh*t at Classic.

What about first one card packs? Was it 96 SPx?

Perhaps deviations from your theme but just wanted to contribute/run them through

[skycat]

Originally Posted by rustywest

Wow, this must have taken quite some time to research.

Great thread and an interesting read indeed laurentolaj. A 2020 member providing content, rare bird.

Couple I thought about was: Who was first to dump a single raw card inside a box, for example 96/97 Skybox Ruby. Also 96/97 SP did it but with a different single card pack. I believe 94 Classic might have been first with a Grant Hill Promo card? They were always doing kooky sh*t at Classic.

What about first one card packs? Was it 96 SPx?

Perhaps deviations from your theme but just wanted to contribute/run them through

95 spx was 1 card a pack.

98 Spx Finite Rookie pack were inserted to UD hobby box.

[laurentolaj]

Thank you for amazing new contributions!

@The mesiah:
I will correct the first embossed card which is 1990 action packed promo instead of 94-95 hoops fifth anniversary, thanks for sharing!

@Skycat:
- The kangaroo concept is for me a bit older concept with 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Thunder and Lightning. However your card is interesting as the first double RC and have to be mentioned in my list
- The first motion is older and already in my list: 1994-95 Emotion Skymotion
- The first postmarked card has to be in my list but as maconithappen stated there is an older one from 2000-01!
- First 1-card pack and RC-pack: thank you for correction, will add them as well

@Maconithappen
Thank you for correction, I will add it in my list!

@Rustywest
Thank you for your comment. I am new to this board, but I have been collecting for 27 years cards ;-)
I am quite know in the hobby for having the best in-career collection of Olajuwon (about only 20 cards + 40 1/1 missing among 2000++ existing cards).
Also, I think your contributions need to be mentionned in my list. The first 1-card pack with SPX96 and the first rookie-pack with 98-99 spx finite have been corrected by Skycat, but you were talking about a single card pack from 96-97 SP. Do you think it is the rookie-packs spx finite from ud 98-99mentioned by skycat or another one?
This made me think about the first hot pack card which could be mentioned as well as an innovation.
About the first single raw card inside a box, let's see if someone else beat you with a previous edition! I put the rubies at the moment in my list

[ballhawkdawk]

This is insane. Well done. This should be sticky’d... or at least linked in a sticky thread.

[jcardstore]

This is amazing!! We need more of this here

[mglevy125]

Awesome stuff! Didn’t see first ever jersey card which i believe was 1996 press pass

[skycat]

Originally Posted by laurentolaj

Thank you for amazing new contributions!

@The mesiah:
I will correct the first embossed card which is 1990 action packed promo instead of 94-95 hoops fifth anniversary, thanks for sharing!

@Skycat:
- The kangaroo concept is for me a bit older concept with 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Thunder and Lightning. However your card is interesting as the first double RC and have to be mentioned in my list
- The first motion is older and already in my list: 1994-95 Emotion Skymotion
- The first postmarked card has to be in my list but as maconithappen stated there is an older one from 2000-01!
- First 1-card pack and RC-pack: thank you for correction, will add them as well

@Maconithappen
Thank you for correction, I will add it in my list!

@Rustywest
Thank you for your comment. I am new to this board, but I have been collecting for 27 years cards ;-)
I am quite know in the hobby for having the best in-career collection of Olajuwon (about only 20 cards + 40 1/1 missing among 2000++ existing cards).
Also, I think your contributions need to be mentionned in my list. The first 1-card pack with SPX96 and the first rookie-pack with 98-99 spx finite have been corrected by Skycat, but you were talking about a single card pack from 96-97 SP. Do you think it is the rookie-packs spx finite from ud 98-99mentioned by skycat or another one?
This made me think about the first hot pack card which could be mentioned as well as an innovation.
About the first single raw card inside a box, let's see if someone else beat you with a previous edition! I put the rubies at the moment in my list

Awesome. Glad I add some contributions to your cards history for every1 t see. Keep up the great finding.

[LovelyLlamas]

Very impressive!

1997-98 Metal Precious Metal Gems was the first serially numbered set where a portion of the print run had a variation (first ten being green). See also 1999-00 Focus rookies and 2000-01 EX rookies.

Wasn’t 1989 the first year for the Sears Hoops set?

Shaq 1992-93 Upper Deck was the first redemption card issued I believe

1992-93 Fleer All Stars was the first set with gold foil

I’m thinking 2001-02 Ultimate Collection has the first Rookie Patch Auto (RPA)

The 2000-01 Hoops Hot Prospects is the first (and only?) card featuring game worm and college worn materials

2001-02 Topps Pristine Sweat and Tears was the first set with Towel swatches

2001-02 Topps Heritage Unity had headband swatches

[LovelyLlamas]

Could the 1994-95 Collector’s Choice Blow Up 5x7 autographs be the first box topper? Not sure if something was issued before that

[Deadshot]

Awesome list! This isn't really a card in a card, but maybe the first card in a sleeve?

[libruary]

NBA Top Shot is the much better implementation of a blockchain card. There is an upcoming game to use these cards and there is a fantastic communtiy of trading and selling with native support using cryptocurrencies. I am absolutely biased as I believe in the product though..

[laurentolaj]

@ballhawkdawk and jcardstore
Thank you for your kind comments!

@mglevy125
It was already in my list, thanks anyway

@LovelyLlamas
1997-98 Metal Precious Metal Gems was the first serially numbered set where a portion of the print run had a variation (first ten being green). See also 1999-00 Focus rookies and 2000-01 EX rookies.
--> Beaten by fleer bleachers black and holographic foil already in my list

Wasn’t 1989 the first year for the Sears Hoops set?
--> What is it? I do not understand the word sears in english...

Shaq 1992-93 Upper Deck was the first redemption card issued I believe
--> Beaten by 1991-92 wild card already in my list

1992-93 Fleer All Stars was the first set with gold foil
--> Beaten by 1989 NC collegiate already in my list

I’m thinking 2001-02 Ultimate Collection has the first Rookie Patch Auto (RPA)
--> Beaten by spx 2000-01 already in my list as rookie jersey auto. In my opinion having listed auto jersey rookie on one hand, and patch set on another hand, it is difficult to consider RPA as in innovation.

The 2000-01 Hoops Hot Prospects is the first (and only?) card featuring game worm and college worn materials
--> Can you clarify? Can't find that ones

2001-02 Topps Pristine Sweat and Tears was the first set with Towel swatches
--> thank you, will add that one

2001-02 Topps Heritage Unity had headband swatches
--> thank you, will add that one

1994-95 Collector’s Choice Blow Up 5x7 autographs be the first box topper
--> I am currently working only on cards fitting in a binder = max 2"3/8


@Deadshot
Thank you, will add it to my list

@libruary:
Can you give me more information about that one. Cannot find the exact reference