Born in the early 20th century, grew up during the "Golden Age" of baseball cards. Unlike the glossy, mass-produced inserts of today, early cards were distributed in cigarette packs, caramel boxes, and bakery products. As a young man, Hubay was not just a fan of the game; he was fascinated by the ephemera surrounding it.
Perhaps the most significant contribution made to the hobby was his obsessive commitment to authenticity. In the 1960s and 70s, the market was flooded with "trimmed" cards—cards that had their rough edges cut down to appear "mint."
: Genealogical records from sites like MyHeritage indicate that the Hubay name has a strong historical presence in Ohio , particularly in Cleveland and Toledo.