Cardboard History History of Cardboard: 1990-1999

Hands down, the best decade in history. If I could go back and live the 1990s all over again, I would do it. In a heartbeat. I'd change some of the things I did then if I could, but overall...there's nothing better. And that carries over into the cards as well, with specifically the time period of 1991-1998 being my favorite time in cardboard history.

1990

1990 Marvel Universe

1991

1991 Maxx

1992

1992 Muscle Cards II

1993

1993 Topps Star Wars Galaxies (Series 1)

1994

1995

1995 Dart Flipcards Hershey's

1996

1996-97 Ultra

1997

1997 Topps Widevision Special Edition

1998

1998 Maxx 10th Anniversary

1999

1999-00 Fleer Tradition

Every year here is great, and deserves a comment. Although I grew up as a DC Comics fan, the 1990 Marvel Universe set was possibly the first set I ever had completed- it was either that or the 1990 Classic Monster Trucks set, both were completed in 1990, and whichever came first is lost to history. NASCAR surprisingly makes it's first appearance on this countdown, and the 1991 Maxx set is one of my all-time favorites. I didn't actually get them new, but close to it. I became a NASCAR fan at Christmas 1992 and started buying 1991 Maxx cards very shortly after that...possibly even in the week between Christmas and New Year's 1993. That info is lost to history, but I know I got most of them from the comic shop we went to weekly, so it would not be a surprise. The Musclecards set of 1992 was the first street car set I experienced, getting them at the same comic shop that the 1991 Maxx and likely the Marvel cards came from as well. I eventually got all of them that they had...I distinctly remember that they were 50 cents a pack. 1992 saw a major development in the hobby, which I won't be covering here but deserves a mention for historical accuracy- it's when Pin up cards- going all the way up to full pornography- were reintroduced to the hobby...and still going strong today! 1993 saw new Star Wars cards for the first time in a decade, and they would become a staple of non-sports cards ever since.  1994 through 1996 is my favorite time period in the hobby, and I consider 1994 to be the best year for NASCAR cards ever, however, I had to go with Marvel Universe, as it's a set I have very fond memories of...and am so close to completing, too! The 1990s brought a wonderful world of wacky oddities to cards, like a set based on a chocolate company. (wish now I bought more than one pack!). The 1996-97 Ultra design should be no surprise to oust a non-sports set from this year...as I consider it my favorite card design ever. One of the things I would change, if I could live the 1990s again, is to not stop collecting non-sports cards once I discovered the NBA. Once I began collecting that sport in February 1996, I would focus almost solely on it until 2003...totally ignoring non-sports cards and mostly ignoring NASCAR...something I wish I could change. I believe 1997 would be the last time I purchased a new non-sports card until 2002, in fact. 1998 Maxx 10th Anniversary is a very important set because it was the first I ever created a paper listing for...today, my paper listing covers my entire NBA, NASCAR, NHL, Olympics, and most non-sports sets...it all started here! For some reason, the cards shifted in 1999...I don't know why, but it coincides with the NBA's first lockout. There were never as much fun to me after that...although I still enjoy the hobby immensely, it just wasn't the same. Non-sports cards- although I was no longer aware of what was being produced- also dropped off at this time.