Baines Golfing Trade Card, Dorset. A rare circular golf trade card in the shape of a bramble golf ball. 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 male golfer to the front with the words 'Good Shot, Dorset'. To the reverse '21 St. Ann's Square, Shannon Street, Leeds, July 8th 1919. ON SPORT, Hit boys, hit boys, make the leather fly, Fieldsman, look out for boundaries passing by; Hi! stumper, if you go and close your eyes, We'll loose with those blessed byes, Ah! well bowled the mighty Puck, You've brought him out for a duck; And besides it was a very good ball, We've a good chance of winning after all. B. Hopkins. Age 12. J. Baines, Sole Inventor And originator of the Famous Packet of Cricket and Football Cards, 32 Oak Lane, Bradford, reg. No. 80,607'.