History and Iconic Cards of Skateboarding Trading Card Culture

The History of Skateboarding Trading Cards

Skateboarding trading cards have a rich history intertwined with the rise in popularity of skateboarding itself. They capture some of the most iconic moments in skateboarding from the 1970s to today. For skateboarders and collectors alike, skateboarding cards are a great way to remember the glory days of the sport.

The 1970s: Skateboarding Goes Mainstream

Although skateboarding originated in the 1960s on the beaches of California, it wasn't until the 1970s that it really entered the mainstream. As skateboarding took off, the first skateboarding competitions were held and early pioneers like Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta became household names.

Seeing an opportunity, trading card companies like Topps and Fleer started producing skateboarding trading cards. The very first pack of skateboarding trading cards was likely the 1977 Topps Skateboard Stickers set. These sticker cards featured photographs of popular pros pulling aerial maneuvers and documented the growing culture of skateboarding.

The 1980s: A Collectible Craze

In the 1980s, skateboarding exploded from an underground hobby into a nationwide sensation. Movies like Back to the Future featured skateboarding, video games with skaters proliferated, and stars like Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Christian Hosoi became celebrities.

Trading card companies struggled to keep up with demand for products featuring these skate legends. Hundreds of skateboarding card sets debuting cool artwork and chronicling daring tricks. The illusive "rookie cards" of future legends became hot collectors items.

The 1990s: Skating Goes Big

Although the popularity of skateboarding wavered in the early 1990s, it came back stronger than ever midway through the decade. With an entire generation of kids growing up on skate culture and the X-Games bringing it onto the world's televisions yearly, the heroes and legends of skateboarding became etched into mainstream culture.

Companies like SkyBox, Upper Deck, Fleer, Pacific, and Topps got in on the action with their own skateboarding cards. Inserting autograph and swatch cards featuring actual shirt material from the pros into packs made collecting skating trading cards even more exciting.

Iconic Skateboarding Trading Cards

Certain individual skateboarding cards have become cultural icons themselves. These rare and valuable cards perfectly capture a moment in time and remind skaters why they first stepped onto a board.

1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Peripheral Issue Skateboard Card

Before Ken Griffey Jr. became a baseball legend, he was featured on this regional oddball skateboarding card likely given away at Seattle area pizza chains. With only an estimated 100 copies in existence, it has become his most sought after rookie card.

1990 Tony Hawk Santa Cruz Card No. 137

Part of a series of cards featuring team skaters riding for the legendary Santa Cruz skateboard company, this Tony Hawk card has become emblematic of the rise of street skating. The black and white photography gives it an artistic aesthetic that has stood the test of time.

1995 Stacy Peralta Rear Gear Skateboarding Card

A card created to give the horizontal playing card treatment to past skate legends, number 30 in the series features Stacy Peralta in an empty pool riding for his iconic Powell-Peralta skate company. It's a dynamic callbacks to the roots of skateboarding in the 1970s.

The Legacy of Skateboarding Cards

Skateboarding trading cards represent more than just pieces of cardboard printed decades ago. They symbolize skateboarding's hold on generations of youth looking to express their individuality and creativity. The icons of skateboarding, frozen in time on these cards, paved the way for the athletes that followed in their footsteps.

For collectors, skateboarding cards are both memorabilia and investments. Rare cards in perfect condition can easily fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars. But for many, they are priceless mementos representing personal heroes that had a formative influence throughout their lives.

FAQs

What was the first skateboarding trading card set?

The very first skateboarding trading card set was likely the 1977 Topps Skateboard Stickers. These sticker cards featured photos of popular skateboarding pros of the era.

What is the Ken Griffey Jr. Peripheral Issue skateboard card?

This is an extremely rare 1989 regional promotional skateboarding card of baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. before he entered the MLB. Only about 100 copies exist.

Why are some skateboarding trading cards so valuable?

Iconic cards that perfectly capture a pivotal time in skate history or feature legends like Tony Hawk and Stacy Peralta can be worth thousands for collectors. Rare "rookie cards" of pros as kids also demand high prices.

Are new skateboarding trading cards still made today?

While not as popular as in the 80s and 90s, new skateboarding trading cards continue to be produced. Brands release special card sets to commemorate events like the X-Games or introduce new fans to old school legends.