Walter Johnson declared that no pitcher threw harder. Ty Cobb called him one of the best pitchers he ever faced. Despite that recognition, some collectors today have never even heard of pitcher Smoky Joe Wood. At the height of his career, it is easy to see why Wood drew the praise of baseball legends. His legendary 1912 season (34-5 with ten shutouts and a 1.91 ERA) remains … [Read more...] about The Early Cards of Smoky Joe Wood
1910s Baseball Cards
Membership Card Featuring Star Jack Barry is a Rare Pre-War Bargain
Former Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox infielder Jack Barry is the subject on a unique pre-war collectible. Here's a bit more on this interesting issue from 1919 and 1920. Who Was Jack Barry? Jack Barry's name will be familiar to many pre-war collectors. He is found in a variety of early tobacco and candy baseball card sets. Barry was also considered to be one … [Read more...] about Membership Card Featuring Star Jack Barry is a Rare Pre-War Bargain
Sports at the Forefront of Rare Richards-Wilcox Trade Cards
With origins dating back to 1880, the Richards-Wilcox company produces hardware, storage, and conveyor systems for all sorts of structures and facilities. Nearly 150 years later, the company is still in business today. But some collectors of old sports cards are familiar with the brand through its large distribution of calendar-themed trade cards in the early 1900s. About the … [Read more...] about Sports at the Forefront of Rare Richards-Wilcox Trade Cards
Rare 1913 Plow’s Candy Cards Could Fetch Sweet Prices
Two cards from a set not even known to exist for more than 60 years after it was printed are heading to the auction block. And they're just a couple of obscure guys that no one remembers. The single known authenticated copy of the 1912 Plow's Candy Honus Wagner and the highest graded example from among nine Ty Cobb cards from the rare regional product are coming to … [Read more...] about Rare 1913 Plow’s Candy Cards Could Fetch Sweet Prices
Sports Cards Highlight the Rare Obsequio de Susini Set
The Obsequio de Susini tobacco card set is one of those international issues that doesn't come up a whole lot. The lack of baseball cards in it is a contributing factor for its relative obscurity. Nevertheless, there are plenty of great sports cards to be found in it. Let's take a deeper look at this rare set. About the Obsequio de Susini set Obsequio de Susini? That's a … [Read more...] about Sports Cards Highlight the Rare Obsequio de Susini Set
Pre-War Baseball Card Holiday Gift Ideas for Any Budget
The holidays are here and if you're still looking for some last-minute gift ideas for fellow collectors--or give yourself a well-earned present for a challenging year-- I've got you covered. Just about all of these are easily attainable and while most are inexpensive, we've broken them down by the price ranges you can probably expect to pay. Under $25 1880s Baseball Comics … [Read more...] about Pre-War Baseball Card Holiday Gift Ideas for Any Budget
The Baseball Cards of the Legendary Jim Thorpe
When collectors discuss the storied names of early football players, Jim Thorpe is one that quickly is at the forefront. Thorpe is certainly one of the key figures that was instrumental in growing that sport. But in addition to a storied football career and Olympic career that saw him win gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon in 1912, Thorpe was also a baseball … [Read more...] about The Baseball Cards of the Legendary Jim Thorpe
Strike A Pose: The Famous Honus Wagner Portrait Image is Not Hard to Find
The Honus Wagner T206 issue is the most popular baseball card of all time. With all due respect to the Mike Trout Superfractor that recently sold for a record amount, the tale of the Wagner card has been spun for more than a century and the card is even fairly well known outside of the relatively small circle of baseball card collectors. Of course, as the story goes, Wagner … [Read more...] about Strike A Pose: The Famous Honus Wagner Portrait Image is Not Hard to Find
Key Cards From Baseball’s Second Class of Hall of Famers
Baseball's first Hall of Fame class from 1936 remains its most legendary. Consisting of five true greats of the game in Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Ty Cobb, it can never be equaled. But the follow-up class that was inducted in 1937 included some special players, too. The Wagner T206 card, Ruth's M101-4/5 rookie cards, Ty Cobb's … [Read more...] about Key Cards From Baseball’s Second Class of Hall of Famers
The Wayback Collector: Pre-War E98 Gems Discovered in Repacked Boxes
Most of the time when collectors want a taste of pre-war cards, they head to eBay or another online site, a local card shop, or perhaps a card show. But finding pre-war cards isn't limited to those options. Some card companies and distributors have taken to offering pre-war cards as inserts in unopened boxes. And while finding something of substance might be difficult, some … [Read more...] about The Wayback Collector: Pre-War E98 Gems Discovered in Repacked Boxes