Real photo postcards are postcards with genuine photographic images on the front. They are actual photographs on photopaper, but designed to be mailed and have letters written on the back. As with all photographs, if you examine the images under strong magnification the you'll see no dot or other printed ink patterns. Popular in the early to mid 1900s, real photo postcards … [Read more...]
A Guide to Early Mounted Photographs
Nearly all 1800s paper photographic prints are mounted to cardboard backing, and are commonly called card photographs. A percentage of early 1900s photographs are also mounted as card photographs. The early paper photographic prints were thin and delicate and had to be affixed to a backing. However, the backing also made for an attractive presentation. Early photographs can … [Read more...]
Collecting Sports Movie Ephemera
From Raging Bull to Breaking Away a great number of motion pictures since the silent era have been about sports. Further, many sports stars have appeared in movies, some even making multiple appearances, including Babe Ruth, Jim Brown, Sonja Henie and Johnny Weismuller. This column looks at some of the standard types of ephemera from movies, whether it's The Pride of the … [Read more...]
Vintage Sports Memorabilia Q and A
The following are answers to assorted questions from the proverbial mail bag. QUESTION: I've heard that collectors sometimes soak old cards in water in order to remove album paper and glue from the backs. Won't the water dissolve off or smear the printing ink? ANSWER: I'm not giving advice whether or not you should or shouldn't soak cards, but I can tell you that old card … [Read more...]
Identifying Precious Metals: Gold, Silver and Platinum
As precious metals can have high monetary value, this is an area where getting an educated second opinion can be a good idea for a beginner. A jeweler or avid collector can identify and grade the metal for you. However, the avid collector can make a fair judgment about type and quality of previous metal. There are both scientific tests and more informal ways of identifying … [Read more...]
Interesting Notes on Vintage Sports Photos
This column offers some additional information about vintage and antique cards and memorabilia. Many 1800s sports cards are actual photographs Modern card collectors often don't realize that many 1800s trading cards are actual photographs, taken with a camera and developed in a photography lab. While modern ink and printing press technology can reproduce photographic … [Read more...]
Memorabilia Collecting and Authentication Quick Tips: Part 3
This is another in a continuation of columns offering assorted identification, authentication and collecting tips for sports and related memorabilia. These particular tips aren’t all-encompassing but intended to be simple and easy to remember. Tip #1) Crazing, or 'alligator skin,' is strong evidence an oil painting is old. Crazing happens over time when the paint and the … [Read more...]
Free Downloadable Guide to Identifying Materials in Antiques
I've come out with a new beginner's e-book guide to identifying common materials in antique memorabilia and collectibles, including sports items. You can download it for free here. Materials (ceramics, wood, metal, fur, plastic, paper, etc) is a massive, ongoing area of study and research. There have been volumes of literature written just on diamonds, a university professor … [Read more...]
Guide to George Burke’s Baseball Photos
More than 60 years after his death, George Burke remains one of the most famous and collected baseball photographers. Based out of Chicago, Burke shot some of the iconic images of the days' stars including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Dizzy Dean and Joe DiMaggio, was the official photographer for several teams and provided the photos for the Goudey and Play Ball … [Read more...]
Chris Levy: National is About Meeting Old, New Friends
Looking back at my first National - Atlantic City in 2003 - I am struck by how much both I and the hobby I love has changed in just a decade. Having frequently attended recent Nationals and regional shows, participated in online discussion groups, and been part of numerous auctions and transactions, I found that every few feet I stepped brought me closer to a friend or an … [Read more...]