The Hidden Gems of 1913: National Game (WG5) vs. Tom Barker (WG6)

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In the world of pre-war baseball collectibles, the 1913 playing card sets occupy a unique space.

While most tobacco and candy cards of the era are scarce and expensive, the WG5 National Game and WG6 Tom Barker Game sets offer collectors a rare combination: stunning photography of legendary Hall of Famers and a relatively accessible entry point.

Though they look nearly identical at a glance, subtle differences in back designs, player checklists, and rare overprints make them a fascinating study for the serious hobbyist.

The Duel of the Decks: WG5 vs. WG6

Both sets were issued in 1913 as functional playing card games. Measuring the standard 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ with rounded corners, they feature crisp black-and-white portraits or action shots centered within a white border. Surrounding the player are game-play instructions (e.g., “Safe at First,” “Strike One”), allowing owners to simulate a nine-inning game.

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The “Fenway Breweries” Mystery

One of the most sought-after cards in the set is a Fenway Breweries overprint of ‘Home Run’ Baker. As noted by Anson on the Pre-War Cards blog, a small number of these cards from both sets (primarily WG5) were distributed with a blue or black stamp on the back promoting Fenway Breweries. These were local Boston-area promotions and are considered a “holy grail” for regional collectors. While a standard WG5 HOFer might cost a few hundred dollars, a Fenway overprint can command several thousand at auction due to its extreme scarcity.

Checklist & Hall of Fame Presence

Both sets are essentially a “Who’s Who” of the Deadball Era. Because they were games, the manufacturers included nearly every major star of the day to drive sales.

Shared Heavy Hitters:

• Ty Cobb: Featured twice in WG5 (one portrait, one unidentified sliding action card).
• Joe Jackson: One of his most affordable “playing days” cards.
• Honus Wagner: A majestic portrait card.
• Christy Mathewson & Walter Johnson: The pitching royalty of the era.

The “Chase” Difference: One of the easiest ways to tell which set was printed first is the card of Hal Chase. In the WG5 National Game set, Chase is listed with New York. In the WG6 Tom Barker set, he is shown with Chicago. Since Chase was traded mid-season in 1913, this confirms WG5 hit the shelves first.

Population Report Analysis

Despite being over 110 years old, these cards often survive in surprisingly high grades. Because they were kept in their original boxes rather than being handled individually like tobacco cards, many examples earn “Near Mint” or “Mint” designations from PSA and SGC. In addition, since these were game cards with rounded corners by design, they tend to age better than square-cornered tobacco cards.

• WG5 (National Game): Generally shows higher population numbers. PSA has graded over 2,900 total cards, with many HOFers having pops in the 50–100 range.
  
• WG6 (Tom Barker): Notably scarcer. Total PSA pop is roughly half that of WG5 (around 1,400 cards). Finding high-grade Tom Barker cards is significantly more difficult than finding their WG5 counterparts.

Collector’s Checklist: Essential Stars

If you are building a “Type” collection or a Hall of Fame run, these are the cards to prioritize:

• [ ] Grover Alexander (Rookie Era)
• [ ] Frank “Home Run” Baker
• [ ] Chief Bender
• [ ] Roger Bresnahan
• [ ] Frank Chance
• [ ] Ty Cobb (Portrait)
• [ ] Ty Cobb (Sliding – Unidentified)
• [ ] Sam Crawford
• [ ] Johnny Evers
• [ ] Clark Griffith
• [ ] Miller Huggins
• [ ] Joe Jackson
• [ ] Hughie Jennings
• [ ] Walter Johnson
• [ ] Nap Lajoie
• [ ] Connie Mack
• [ ] Rube Marquard
• [ ] Christy Mathewson
• [ ] John McGraw
• [ ] Tris Speaker
• [ ] Joe Tinker
• [ ] Honus Wagner
• [ ] Smoky Joe Wood
• [ ] Cy Young

Final Verdict for the Investor

For collectors on a budget, the WG5 National Game offers the best “bang for your buck,” providing iconic images of Cobb and Wagner for a fraction of the cost of a T206. However, for the advanced collector looking for rarity, the WG6 Tom Barker set—and specifically any Fenway Breweries overprints—represents the true “pro” level of the 1913 game card market.

Whether you’re chasing the red-back floral WG5s or the rarer Tom Barker red-and-whites, these sets remain a cornerstone of pre-war card history.

1913 National Game Cards on eBay

FRANK CHANCE HOF 1913 NATIONAL GAME PSA 4

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Nap Lajoie 1913 NATIONAL GAME SGC 5 Cleveland Indians RARE. nice looking card!

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1913 National Game WG5 #51 Runner Sliding Ump Left VGEX X3552390

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PSA 5 1913 National Game Rube Marquard

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1913 National Game Cy Young PSA 7 NM HOF Boston

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1913 National Game Chief Bender HOF PSA 7 NM Philadelphia A's

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1913 National Game Original Game Box

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SGC 5 - 1913 WG5 National Game - Runner Sliding ACTION / PLAY CARD

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