He was a strapping young man in his 20s, fully deserving of the “Husky Hans” moniker that had been bestowed on the star shortstop of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, it was “Hans” as the nickname of John Wagner’s 1902 W600 cabinet card—not Honus. The Sporting Life cabinets ran from 1902-1911 and Heritage Auctions is selling one of the earliest Wagner W600 cards … [Read more...]
Estate Find of 19th Century Baseball Cards Nets $431,000
A fresh-to-the-hobby collection of 37 19th century baseball cards has sold for a combined $431,000. Originating in a Long Island estate, the group of N173 Old Judge Cabinet cards from 1888 sold through Weiss Auctions as part of a 500-lot sale that included cards and other collectibles. The crown jewel of the “North Fork Find” was a possibly unique cabinet card photo … [Read more...]
Huggins & Scott’s February Auction Loaded With Vintage Lots
Vintage cards will be plentiful when the first Huggins & Scott auction of 2019 begins Feb. 1. The auction will run through Feb. 13, with a 30-minute rule beginning that night at 11 ET. There will be a large assortment of pre-war and post-World War II cards. The early 1900s cards will include rare 1911 Jones, Keyser & Arras cabinet cards that feature Hall of Famers … [Read more...]
Rare Cleveland Spiders Cabinet Cards From Jake Virtue Collection at Auction
Jake Virtue played in the major leagues well over a century ago. But the former player is in the spotlight now thanks to a rare collection of cabinet cards now for sale through SCP Auctions. The group, which includes two cards of his Cleveland Spiders teammate Cy Young, were passed on through his family over the years. Virtue's great-grandson Ed has been the most recent … [Read more...]
1888 Joseph Hall NY Giants Photo Sets Pace at Huggins & Scott
A remarkable 1888 New York Giants team photo taken by noted photographer Robert Hall soared to over $30,000 in the first 48 hours of bidding as Huggins and Scott opened its biggest catalog auction of 2017. The photo, in exceptional condition despite its 134-year-old pedigree, measures 20-1/2 x 19-5/8" and features six Hall of Famers. It’s one of only three known to … [Read more...]
Notes: 1880s Cabinet Card Discovered; Big $ for Trout; Spring Training ‘Graphs
The publicity associated with the recent discovery of Ty Cobb cards from the ‘Lucky 7 Find’ brought out at least one even older piece of baseball memorabilia. Michigan resident Kathleen Klein saw the story and recalled an old family photo album that contained a cabinet card of her great-great grandfather, a member of the 19th century Detroit Wolverines. Like Cobb, pitcher … [Read more...]
5 Great 1911 T3 Turkey Red Cards on a Budget
Even in a convention hall full of thousands of different types of colorful, cool and historic memorabilia, the 1911 T3 Turkey Red baseball cards stand out. More than 100 years after they arrived in envelopes as part of a mail-in offer, they are among the most collectible, sought after and aesthetically striking pieces of baseball history ever produced. They can also be very … [Read more...]
At the NSCC: Autographed Cleveland Spiders Photos Once Owned by Cy Young
A collection of seven 1893 Cleveland Spiders cabinet photos once owned by baseball great Cy Young have been consigned to auction and are on display at the 2014 National Sports Collectors Convention. The photos, including the original 1930’s era envelope the Hall of Fame pitcher used to mail them—with his Peoli, OH return address--have never been sold at auction … [Read more...]
Sorting Out the 1800s to 1900s Old Judge ‘Proofs’ and Display Photos
There are a variety of so-called Old Judge Cabinet 'Proofs' and other Old Judge photo displays directly or indirectly related to the popular 1880s N172 and N173 Old Judge baseball cards. They come is different forms and were made in different time periods. As there is common confusion and misdating, the following is a quick description of the types. Background New York's … [Read more...]
Newly Discovered 19th Century Card of Hall of Famer Heads for Auction
A previously unknown card from the rare 19th century Police Gazette cabinet series—still in its original mailing envelope—has been consigned to Robert Edward Auctions and will be in the company’s upcoming 2014 Spring Auction. The card features Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward and was not part of the last 36-subject checklist produced for the Standard Catalog of Baseball … [Read more...]