First Set w/ Memorabilia/Autos?

[Jollywood]

Two questions:
1. Who was the first brand (and when) to offer memorabilia cards?
2. Who was the first brand (and when) to offer autos?

[xpress34]

I known there was a set made in the 80's that offered a Mickey Mantle AU card and one that offered a Pete Rose AU, but they weren't Main Stream Sets (i.e. Topps, UD, Donruss, Fleer, Score).

As far as the 'Main Stream' sets, UD offered the 'Heroes of Baseball' Series starting in 1990 through 1994 (ONE AU card each year):

Reggie Jackson (1934/2500)


Nolan Ryan 91713/2500)


Hank Aaron (1996/2500)


Ted Williams (2103/2500)


Johnny Bench / Joe Morgan (878/2500)


They also did a 3 card set (of one card) in 1994 (on my list to add to the collection) with Mantle and Griffey Jr. There is a Griffey only signed version, a Mantle only signed version and a Dual (Griffey and Mantle) Signed Version.

(cont)...

[xpress34]

There was also a 3 year set from Donruss from 1991 - 1993 called the Signature Series:

Ryne Sandberg (0791/5000)


Cal Ripken Jr (0389/5000)


Will Clark (3815/5000)



And in 1992 Score had the 1st AU 'SET' with the Franchise Cards:

Mickey Mantle (1751/2000)


Stan Musial (0041/2000)


Carl Yastrzemski (1672/2000)


There is a 4th card with all 3 on it #d/500 that I need for my set...

As far as GU cards, I don't believe they came into being until the late 90's to early 00's

Hope this helps!

Smitty