About us

Family-Owned Legacy in Collecting

America’s Pastime Sport Memorabilia Cards is a family-owned company rooted in tradition and passion for collecting. Based in Chicago, IL, our story begins in 1987 when founder Richard Saltzman turned a lifelong interest into a growing business.

Humble Beginnings

In the 1980s, Richard worked alongside his father, who owned a candy and tobacco distribution business. At that time, retail sports cards were distributed through the same channels. As Richard witnessed a surge of excitement for sports cards at shows and in retail, his curiosity became commitment. Without the internet, he connected through a system called Sport Net, a groundbreaking network for buying and selling sports memorabilia and cards. This platform gave him insight into market trends, allowing him to grow his knowledge and collection through the 80s and 90s.

Building a Lasting Collection

From 1987 to 1996, Richard carefully curated and set aside pieces from every opportunity that came his way. Even after the initial wave slowed, his passion never did — he continued adding sets and preserving a wide array of memorabilia for decades to come.

A New Generation

Fast forward to 2023: after 55 years in business, Richard decided it was time to organize the extensive collection with his sons, Sammy and Ryan. Together, they revived the name America’s Pastime with its iconic logo and vision. Today, the business is led by Sammy, continuing the family tradition of preserving history, connecting collectors, and celebrating the timeless joy of sports memorabilia.