While the exact dates are not universally agreed on, here is the best info I have found:
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Pre-War Era (Pre-World War II): This era covers the earliest baseball cards produced from the late 1800s to the early 1940s.
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Vintage Era (1948-1985): The Vintage Era includes popular sets like Bowman, Topps, and Fleer, up until 1985.
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Junk Wax Era (1986-1994): The Junk Wax Era is characterized by the overproduction of baseball cards, resulting in a saturation of the market and a decline in card values.
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Modern Era (1995-2010): The Modern Era encompasses the period from 1995 to 2010. It includes various changes in the industry, such as the introduction of premium sets, autographed and game-used memorabilia cards, and the shift towards digital and online trading card platforms.
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Ultra Modern Era (2011-Present): The Ultra Modern Era starts around 2011 and continues to the present day. It is marked by further developments in the trading card industry, including the increased popularity of parallel and variant cards, limited edition releases, and a greater emphasis on unique designs and premium features.
Since I grew up in the Junk Wax era I can say it really did start in 1986. Just compare trying to buy a sealed box of 1985 or 1983 packs to 1986 and you'll get it.
