Cranks Trading Galleries are a celebration of the rich history behind the hobbyist. The original popularity of spectator sports manifested as early as the 1800's, as locals and dynasty fans would boast and rally behind their organization of choice. These very vocal loyalists had an uncanny amount of knowledge (and opinions) about every detail pertaining to their past time of choice. By the turn of the century, ideas and opinions weren't the only thing to be traded. The past time had evolved into a national hobby, as fans began trading memorabilia and cardboard associated with the likeness of their favorite players. Throughout the 1900's, the professional sports industry boomed, and the increase in collectors with it. As we neared the 21st century, not even pop culture was safe from the cardboard wave. Trading card games would soon emerge in the late 80's and 90's to become a multi-billion dollar industry within only a few decades. However, the popularity of collecting and trading began in the 1800's with those same obsessive hobbyists; the ones at the heart of their fandom before it was even beating.

Before the terms "fan" or "fanatic" were coined, these walking encyclopedias of niche hobby knowledge were referred to as...

"Cranks"