Most of the original glass plate negatives taken by legendary baseball photographer Charles Conlon that wound up in the archives of The Sporting News in St. Louis were later sold as one large archive. But not all of them. A small group of previously unknown examples have just hit the auction block, including a few featuring Baseball Hall of Famers. The previously … [Read more...]
“Dear Friend Walter:” Letter from Cy Young to Walter Johnson Coming to Auction
Walter Johnson and Cy Young have 928 career victories between them, and each was dominant pitchers in their eras. As Johnson was winding up his Hall of Fame pitching career in 1927, the Washington Senators decided to have a day to honor the “Big Train,” who joined the squad in 1907. On Aug. 2, 1927 — 20 years to the day after he made his major league debut — Johnson was … [Read more...]
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...]
Notes: Rare Cy Young Card Auction; “Expos” Uniforms, Too; National Notes
Grey Flannel Auctions is selling one of only two known 1891 John H. Ryder Cy Young Cabinet cards, a newly uncovered example that represents possibly the first image ever produced of the Hall of Fame pitcher in a big league uniform. From the description: “This hobby fresh discovery was unearthed recently from an original album that was found in a factory almost 65 years ago. … [Read more...]
Notes: Eli’s Chargers Memorabilia; Collectable’s App and Contest; Cy Young Art Auction
Eli Manning's helmet from the 2008 Super Bowl is up for auction right now with bidding pushing toward $70,000 and several days still left in the bidding. Remember when he was a San Diego Charger? You're excused if not, because his tenure lasted only about 45 minutes. Manning had told San Diego he had no interest in playing for them but the team took him first overall … [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...]
SCP Auctions Opens Spring Catalog with Items from Icons
With over 500 lots ranging from 19th century baseball cards to modern game-worn gear from current stars, SCP Auctions has launched its “Spring Premier” catalog event, scheduled to runs through Saturday, March 24. Top lots include Jesse Owens’ 1976 Presidential Medal of Freedom presented to him by President Gerald Ford, the top collection of unused Super Bowl tickets on PSA … [Read more...]
1911 Baltimore News Newsboys Set Paralleled E94 Close Candy Issue
The 1911 Close Candy set (designated as E94 in the American Card Catalog) included a total of 30 baseball cards featuring major leaguers. But the 1911 Baltimore News set also used the same cards as the company created their own promotion for paperboys. 1911 Baltimore News Newsboys Basics The 1911 Baltimore News Newsboys set, cataloged as M131, is virtually identical to the … [Read more...]
5 Players We Wish Had Been in the T207 Baseball Card Set
A while back, I discussed some T205 cards that could have been added to the release to make it even better. But one set that is even more starved for big names is the 1912 T207 Brown Background set. The issue is popular with a segment of pre-war collectors. However, many are turned off by the set, which is not as colorful as other T-Card issues and, more importantly, is lacking … [Read more...]
Newly Discovered Early Autograph Collection Includes Scarce Hall of Famers
What is believed to be the earliest documented baseball autograph collection hits the auction block on Friday, one that includes some names even advanced collectors don’t have. Originally gathered inside one of two autograph books, the collection features over 44 signatures from 19th and early 20th century baseball greats including 19th century Hall of Famer George S. Davis, … [Read more...]