It’s not quite “Dewey Defeats Truman” but the newspapers got ahead of themselves during the pennant race of 1934. Oh, the New York Giants looked like a sure thing all right. With 14 games left in the season, they still held a 5 ½ game edge on the St. Louis Cardinals. Sometime in the days leading up to the end of the regular season, a photographer for International News … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Preparing for the World Series That Wasn’t
John McGraw
1924 World Baseball Tour Photo at Auction
Well, it was a nice vacation if nothing else. That probably was the prevailing sentiment among the players, coaches and managers on the 1924 World Baseball Tour. While they weren’t exactly a big drawing card in Europe, members of a couple of big league teams did leave some great memorabilia for future generations here in North America. One of those pieces, a 4 1/2” x 9 … [Read more...] about 1924 World Baseball Tour Photo at Auction
Helmar Card of the Week: Hank Mathewson
In order to comprehend and appreciate genuine greatness we must also understand mediocrity, failure and even tragedy. Baseball is full of examples of this truism but few share the stark irony of the three Mathewson brothers. Born between 1880 and 1890 in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, to parents Gilbert and Minerva, the three Mathewson brothers were raised evenly in a stable, … [Read more...] about Helmar Card of the Week: Hank Mathewson
Photo of the Day: Mack, McGraw and the First Mid-Summer Classic
In the moments before the first pitch, it was clear something special was about to take place. It was a warm summer Friday on the south side of Chicago and thousands of fans who’d taken part in voting across the country had made a pilgrimage to see baseball’s biggest stars compete against each other. A half million ballots were cast by newspaper readers who voted for players … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Mack, McGraw and the First Mid-Summer Classic
5 Affordable T206 Hall of Famers
No vintage set captures the imagination more than the white bordered set issued by the American Tobacco Co. between 1909 and '11. Due to the quality of the lithography, the star-studded checklist, and the inclusion of the hobby's most valuable and iconic card - Honus Wagner - T206 has transcended mere card collecting and become part of Americana. As prices continue to … [Read more...] about 5 Affordable T206 Hall of Famers
Local Auction Surrenders Cool Baseball History
Stroll the floor at the National Sports Collectors Convention and you’re apt to find all kinds of interesting things sitting right in front of you that you might otherwise only see in a major auction. Either way, where else can you lay your hands on so many things that date back a century or more? Dealers who acquire vintage baseball memorabilia often have to work hard for … [Read more...] about Local Auction Surrenders Cool Baseball History
1906 Fan Craze Set: What’s Not to Like?
Many collectors consider the 1906 Fan Craze baseball card set to be one of the most underrated issues of the early 20th century. In addition to the fact that it’s now 106 years-old, Fan Craze offers what can be described as some of the best portrait poses of some of the game’s most iconic early pros. While not issued with consumable goods and printed in black and … [Read more...] about 1906 Fan Craze Set: What’s Not to Like?