1895 | J. BAINES | SUNDERLAND AFC | ANDREW McCREADIE | SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL | EARLIEST SUNDERLAND PLAYER CARD

⚽ An exceptionally early and highly collectible J. Baines football card dating to circa 1895–1896, featuring Andrew Donald McCreadie of Sunderland AFC.

These distinctive die-cut cards, produced in Bradford, are widely regarded as among the earliest true football trading cards ever issued, firmly placing this example at the very beginning of organised football card

🧍‍♂️ Player: Andrew McCreadie
- Scotland international (2 caps)
- Sunderland AFC: 1894–1896 (42 appearances, 8 goals)
- Also played for Rangers (two spells)
- Position: Centre-back

This card was issued during (or immediately after) McCreadie’s Sunderland career, making it a contemporary depiction of a first-team player from the club’s early professional era.

 📅 Dating & Historical Importance
Careful comparison with other Sunderland players in the Baines series (including Campbell, Millar and Wilson) places this issue firmly in:

👉 circa 1895–1896

This represents the only overlapping period when these players were all active at Sunderland, strongly anchoring the date.

✔ Among the earliest known Sunderland player cards
✔ Issued during the late phase of Sunderland’s famous “Team of All Talents” era
✔ Pre-dates most recognised cigarette card issues

🃏 Card Details
- Publisher: J. Baines, Bradford & Manningham
- Issue: Footballers series (competition issue)
- Date: c.1895–1896
- Format: Rare shield-shaped die-cut card
- Front: Portrait with printed name “McCreadie”
- Reverse: Original Baines competition advertisement text

⭐ Significance
- One of the earliest Sunderland AFC player collectibles in existence
- Part of the first generation of football trading cards
- Represents a documented Sunderland first-team player and Scotland international
- Highly desirable for collectors of:
- Early football cards
- Sunderland AFC memorabilia
- Scottish internationals
- Victorian / pre-war sports ephemera

📊 Condition
- Authentic original example
- General edge wear consistent with age
- Strong image clarity and display appeal

(Please review images carefully for condition detail)

📦 Summary
A rare opportunity to acquire a genuine mid-1890s football card from the earliest era of the sport, depicting a Sunderland player during one of the club’s most important historical periods.

This card is a significant and scarce survivor from the birth of football card collecting. A standout piece for advanced collectors of early football memorabilia.