Baines Cricket Trade Card, Heaton. Well Hit. A rare circular cricket trade card in the shape of a leather cricket ball with seam. Made by the toy shop owner from Bradford, John Baines. Baines went on to produce not only football cards but eventually covered scores of different sports, from golf, cricket, tennis to horse racing and bowls, and just about any kind of sporting affiliations in just about every city, town and village in the UK. The cards were promoted in various prize competitions like finding certain "medal cards", collection a certain amount of empty packets. One could always submit a mini essay on sport with the winner having their writing printed on the backs of the cards. Hence why the backs are so varied and different.
The Baines card offered for sale is printed in a green tone with a picture of a young girl stood in the wicket playing cricket to the front with the words 'Well Hit, Heaton'. To the reverse 'Horace lees, 28 Godson Street, Oldham. 13th March 1921, 12 years. By the door of Mr Sweatman's shop, Accumulate bags and some might pop, Inside that shop customers can never get served, Nothing can be sold but "Play Ups" - Everyone wants them, even the girls. Should the "Play Ups" cease to sell, that shop would go to ruin. Play Ups, lads, Play Ups! you can hear them shout, Look! I've got Cricket, the one you're without. And I've got Rug ball and not France, You're sure to get a Casis, then won't you dance. Untold amounts of money Mr Sweatman draws, Play Ups are the cause of it all, So raise a cheer for Mr baines, the Inventor of the popular games. J. Baines, 32 Oak Lane, Bradford, reg. No. 80,607'.