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Donruss Baseball Card collection

 Collection
Identifier: BA CRD 016

Scope and Contents

A collection of baseball cards published by Donruss, 1981-2005. The cards dated 1999 to 2005 have few cards for each year. The sets include Diamond Kings, Highlights, The Rookies, Bonus Cards, and a few others. Most but not all sets are complete.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1981-2005

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions but viewing materials does require an appointment. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.

Conditions Governing Use

In 2009, Panini America acquired Donruss Playoff LP, which included the Score brand.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides use copies of materials to facilitate private study, scholarship, and research. The Museum welcomes you to use materials in our collections that are in the public domain and to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law and with proper citation. Permission to publish materials must be obtained from: Giamatti Research Center, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326 Phone: 607.547.0330 E-mail: research@baseballhall.org

Biographical / Historical

Donruss was a manufacturer of sports cards founded in 1954 and acquired by the Panini Group in 2009. The company started in the 1950s, producing confectionery, evolved into Donruss and started producing trading cards. During the 1960s and 1970s Donruss produced entertainment-themed trading cards. Its first sports theme cards were produced in 1965, when it created a series of racing cards sponsored by Hot Rod Magazine.

Full Extent

19 Volumes (in 19 - 3D ring binders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A collection of baseball cards created by Donruss. This collection dates between 1981 and 2005.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in chronological order.

Physical Location

Manuscript Archives, Aisle 16

Custodial History

These baseball cards were donated over a span of years by various donors.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift

Accruals

Cards will be added as they are received.

Processing Information

The baseball cards were placed in acid-free sleeves and placed in 3D-ring binders.

Title
Guide to the Donruss Baseball Card collection
Status
Completed
Author
Claudette Scrafford, Manager, Manuscript Archive
Date
September 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2026: Content added by Kara Grady and Ashley Sprague

Repository Details

Part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archives Repository

Contact:
25 Main St.
Cooperstown NEW YORK 13326 USA