Leaf Trading Cards
Encyclopedia
Leaf Trading Cards, founded in 2010, is a private company that produces trading cards and sports collectibles. Based in Dallas, Texas
, it was best known as a producer of sports cards and other lithographic products.
. Previously, Gray had headed Razor Entertainment
, a manufacturer of sports trading cards best known for signing the number one pick in the 2008 MLB draft
, Tim Beckham
, to an exclusive autograph deal.
After Gray acquired the rights to the Leaf brand name, Razor was immediately shuttered and Gray re-launched the company as "Leaf Trading Cards". Like Razor before it, Leaf does not currently have a license with any of the four major US sports leagues or their respective players' unions. Instead, Leaf has concentrated producing cards of up-and-coming prospects and on niche sports like mixed martial arts and professional poker. In 2011, Leaf came to terms with Muhammad Ali
to produce a 100-card set based on the fighter's career. Leaf also has a license to produce cards based on the TV series Family Guy
.
The current Leaf Trading Cards has no connection to the gum and card manufacturer of the 1940s and 50s, nor is it related in any way to Donruss
, Pinnacle Brands
, or Playoff, Inc., all of which produced sports trading cards under the "Leaf" name in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, it was best known as a producer of sports cards and other lithographic products.
Company history
The company was founded in 2010 by Brian Gray in Dallas, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Previously, Gray had headed Razor Entertainment
Razor Entertainment
Razor Entertainment Group , founded in 2005, was a private company that produced trading cards and collectibles. Based in Dallas, Texas, it was best known as a producer of baseball cards and other lithographic products....
, a manufacturer of sports trading cards best known for signing the number one pick in the 2008 MLB draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
, Tim Beckham
Tim Beckham
Timothy Lamar Beckham is a minor league shortstop for the Class AA Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League. He was the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft, and signed with the Rays on June 19, receiving a signing bonus of $6.15 million...
, to an exclusive autograph deal.
After Gray acquired the rights to the Leaf brand name, Razor was immediately shuttered and Gray re-launched the company as "Leaf Trading Cards". Like Razor before it, Leaf does not currently have a license with any of the four major US sports leagues or their respective players' unions. Instead, Leaf has concentrated producing cards of up-and-coming prospects and on niche sports like mixed martial arts and professional poker. In 2011, Leaf came to terms with Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
to produce a 100-card set based on the fighter's career. Leaf also has a license to produce cards based on the TV series Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
.
The current Leaf Trading Cards has no connection to the gum and card manufacturer of the 1940s and 50s, nor is it related in any way to Donruss
Donruss
Donruss, currently known as Panini America and owned by Panini Group, manufactures sports cards. 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...
, Pinnacle Brands
Pinnacle Brands
Pinnacle Brands was a trading card company from 1988 to 1998. With its first baseball card set called Score, it changed the baseball card industry from the "Big Three" that had been in place for seven years prior...
, or Playoff, Inc., all of which produced sports trading cards under the "Leaf" name in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
See also
- Razor EntertainmentRazor EntertainmentRazor Entertainment Group , founded in 2005, was a private company that produced trading cards and collectibles. Based in Dallas, Texas, it was best known as a producer of baseball cards and other lithographic products....
- DonrussDonrussDonruss, currently known as Panini America and owned by Panini Group, manufactures sports cards. 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...
- FleerFleerThe Fleer Corporation, founded by Frank H. Fleer in 1885, was the first company to successfully manufacture bubblegum; it remained a family-owned enterprise until it was taken private in 1989....
- ToppsToppsThe Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
- Topps baseball card products
- Upper DeckUpper deckUpper deck may refer to :* The Upper Deck Company, an American trading card business* The upper deck is the highest level internal deck on a ship, i.e. just below the superstructure and open deck....
- Beckett MediaBeckett MediaBeckett Media is a privately held company. Founded in 1984 by James Beckett as Beckett Publications, the company focuses on the collectible industries, especially in the area of sports collectibles.-History:...