13 Different CDVs -- Earliest Complete Set of Baseball Cards
All cards (cartes de visite or CDVs) employ original, unretouched photographs of the players mouted on a thicker paper/cardboard backing. CDVs were first utilized in France around 1850 and remained popular into the early 20th century. On the back of each card is the name of the manufacturer (Newberry & Solanders, Photographers) and information for ordering additional cards of each player. Also on the back of each card is the player's name, position, and other various notes added by the original owners.
Based on newspapers accounts as well as testimony from their opponents, the Rock Island Wapellos were the best Midwestern team in the early days of organized baseball. The team was founded in May of 1866 with the original line-up comprised of the exact players in this 13-card set. They competed until the early 1870s and were disbanded, allegedly, after their "first" loss to a rival team, the Davenport Unions. In reality, however, the Rock Island Wapellos lost approximately 4 to 5 games over their existence while winning at least 100.
 
The Rock Island Wapellos were named after Chief Wapello, a Native American of the Meswaki Tribe. He was well-spoken, friendly, and popular while living in Iowa during his later years. Many streets, landmarks, and towns in Iowa still bear evidence of his presence.
 
Although there have been numerous claims as to the "first" baseball card, there is little question that this group of 12 different players plus one trophy ball card, represents the very first complete baseball card set, comprising all of the starting nine from the first (May 1866) Rock Island Wapellos team.