I think that the answer is multi-faceted for most. For me, it connects me with my late father, born in 1908 and having grown up in the DC area, who saw play at Griffith Stadium many of the players of the tobacco, caramel, and early gum card eras. His recounting of seeing Walter Johnson, Same Rice, Bucky Harris, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, etc. evokes warm memories and brings those cards to life.
Furthermore, none of us ever saw these guys play. The cards, along with some footage, is as close as we'll ever get to touching them.
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