Trying to Finish the 2006 Allen & Ginter Master Set
Allen & Ginter re-entered the trading card space in 2006, bumping up its popularity. Almost 120 years after its original release as the first tobacco cards, the new product, with its old-school design, attracted many curious collectors.
Jason Anderson was intrigued right away. That 2006 Allen & Ginter set has since practically turned his life upside down.
The 45-year-old, who lives in California’s Bay Area, is attempting to complete the master set of 2006 Allen & Ginter. The master set consists of the 350-card base set, autograph set, and 16 subsets, totaling 2,344 cards. Anderson is just four cards away from finishing the entire set.
“I’m obsessed. I’m insane for this set,” Anderson said. “And I only collect 2006. I used to collect every year. Around 2018, I just decided I love this set and will only focus on it. I got rid of everything else.”
Yes, Anderson’s obsessed. But he’s also very focused and driven to quite possibly become the first person to master the 2006 Allen & Ginter master set.
Anderson can honestly say he’s thoroughly enjoyed the journey that’s gotten him to this point; it’s taken on a life of its own.
“For a long time there, it was kind of in the dark before it started growing up,” Anderson said. “I have an Instagram page called Ginter Gold Fever. I have a blog that’s out there. I have Facebook groups. I started building up a couple of these groups so that I could find these cards before they hit eBay and before people were thinking of selling them. That’s been the whole goal ever since I started going after the master set about five years ago.
“It’s been incredible—the thrill of the hunt. There’s nothing better than the chase.”
Chasing the Final Four
At the time of the Allen & Ginter release in 2006, Anderson was just 25 years old. He was picking up all the base cards he could, as well as cheap autographs and relics.
“I love the design of it. I love that mashup of old and new together and the homage to those original, first-ever color trading cards,” Anderson said. “I love the nostalgia part of that and that vintage Victorian design of it all, too. I just love all that stuff. It’s just perfect for me.”
Once Anderson pushed all-in to complete the 2006 Allen & Ginter master set, his searches intensified. Anderson entered 2024 needing just seven cards. Anderson hoped to knock off two cards this calendar year, has remarkably checked the box on three.
Now it’s down to the Final Four, which are all Red Bazooka Back Minis /25. Anderson needs Orlando Hudson, Jeff Francis, Richie Sexton, and Vernon Wells. Since Anderson really became serious five years ago to finish the set, he hasn’t seen any of those four cards.
“That’s the thing about these cards is that they’re so random. If you don’t look on the back, you might not even know what you have,” said Anderson, who encourages anyone with information on those cards to contact him on Instagram or email gintergoldfever@gmail.com. “These are guys that people love, but they’re not superstars. There are some very rare Barry Bonds and A-Rod cards from that year that, luckily, I’ve been able to find over the years.”
Anderson is one of eight members of the self-proclaimed “The Ginter Nuts.” The tight-knit group of guys who live around the country endlessly help each other with their Allen & Ginter projects. Before Allen & Ginter releases each year, “The Ginter Nuts” group messages each other with lists of cards they are seeking and the prices they are willing to pay to get their hands on them. If any surface, one of “The Ginter Nuts” will buy them for his fellow collector knowing they will get paid back. There is a lot of camaraderie in the group.
With his obsessive mindset to complete the set, Anderson is constantly seeking his Final Four. His daily search patterns have become a ritual; he meticulously scours about 20 online marketplaces, auction houses, and other avenues.
“I’m probably checking eBay, at least once every 30 seconds to a minute,” Anderson said. “That might be exaggerating, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot every day. I’ve got the routine before bed. I ensure everything is checked off, and then, I start checking everything immediately in the morning. Luckily, through Instagram, I’ve met a lot of folks who have been able to send me pictures of things they’re seeing privately, so that’s always super helpful.”
Some of His Favorites
Anderson has become so attached to his master set that it’s become challenging for him to choose just a few of his favorite cards.
There are two N43 box topper relics that really stand out—both numbered to 40. One is a uniform relic from Albert Pujols, the other, a bat relic from Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson. A Barry Bonds N43 box topper auto-numbered to 10 and an Ernie Banks magenta printing plate is also up there on Anderson’s list of top cards.
“The framed originals are super cool, too,” Anderson said. “There are some world champions, like the wrestling world champion from 140 years ago, that’s framed and looks great. I can go on and on.”
With 2,340 of the 2,344 cards of the master set checked off, those four cards that have eluded Anderson for nearly two decades could become his favorites if he adds them to his collection.
Anderson has set a lofty goal of completing the 2006 Allen & Ginter master set by the time the 2025 Allen & Ginter product is released. That would be the cherry on top of an amazing 20-year project.
“Once I finish—if I ever finish—I’m still always going to add more of the wood minis, they’re all 1-of-1s,” Anderson said. “I’m always looking for more of the printing plates, I love those things. I’ve got over 10% of what exists. I’ve got over 50% of what exists for the 1-of-1 framed originals, too. I’ll just keep doing some treasure hunting.”
