Pre-war sets come in all shapes and sizes. Among the more unique issues are transfers sets and one of the more popular ones is called the 1923 German Transfers set. Transfers are often called stamps and that's for good reason. They basically look like stamps and often have perforated stamp-like edges to them. But they're a little different in that they have reverse print. … [Read more...]
1940s Babe Ruth Editorial Bruguera Cards Remain Elusive
Due to his immense popularity, Babe Ruth wound up on all sorts of baseball cards. His presence not only was felt in the U.S. but also abroad as he was known as one of the most famous athletes in the world, appearing on all sorts of international cards. While Ruth eventually was left out of sets in the years following his retirement, he was still a popular figure. As a … [Read more...]
Oddball Ty Cobb Cards from the Pre-War Era
Ty Cobb is one of the most collected players from the pre-war era. His cards have risen dramatically in value over the years and have not showed any sign of slowing down anytime soon. Among Cobb's more popular cards are his four issues in the T206 set, his T205 card, and some of his well known caramel/candy issues. But the Hall of Famer has plenty of unique and … [Read more...]
1914 Baltimore News Set Home of Babe Ruth’s Minor League Rookie Card
When it comes to pre-war cards there's rare and then there's 'rare.' Consider the 1914 Baltimore News set to be in that latter category. Here's a look at this unique set that is home to one of the most expensive baseball cards in the world. 1914 Baltimore News Set Overview The 1914 Baltimore News set is one of the more obscure issues from the pre-war era that can be found. … [Read more...]
Athletes Highlighted the Quirky 1928 W565 Strip Card Set
Pre-war strip cards can often be unattractive, a bit difficult to understand, and, well, just a little strange in general. All of those traits apply to the 1928 W565 strip card set. Here's a closer look at this unique issue from the 1920s. About the W565 strip card set Believed to have been printed in 1928, there's no doubt that the W565 strip card set is a little on the … [Read more...]
Like Honus Wagner, Eddie Plank Rarely Seen on Tobacco Cards
It's a general consensus that the T206 Honus Wagner is the most significant card in the history of the hobby. Ongoing publicity surrounding the scarcity and value of the card is such that even many non-collectors have heard of it. The card was shortprinted with several theories abounding as to the reason why. But one of the more common reasons cited is that Wagner was … [Read more...]
1926 Spalding Champions Set a Rare Multi-Sport Issue
When collectors think about pre-war multi-sport sets, they might be inclined to first think of any number of issues. The 19th Century 'Champions' issues or the 1933 Goudey Sport Kings set are very popular, for example. But sandwiched in between those legendary sets are a slew of others and one of the more complex ones is the 1926 Spalding Champions set. Here's a closer … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Highlights the W511 Strip Card Set
The 1926 W511 strip card set isn't one of the more common strip issues -- and for good reason. The set is relatively obscure, confusing, and doesn't include much in the way of baseball. But the set is home to four Babe Ruth cards and because of that, has drawn a fair share of attention from collectors of early cards. Here's a closer look at the set. W511 Strip Card … [Read more...]
1911 E94 Blome’s Chocolates Cards Remain Elusive
The E94 cards are mostly attributed as George Close Candy cards. While some of the cards have only a checklist back, some of these cards feature an assortment of stamped advertisements for that candymaker from Massachusetts. These are mostly blue-ink back ads with a variety of slogans. Some of the ads are even dotted with a typo, reading, "Your Out" or "Your Safe" that would … [Read more...]
The Wayback Collector: Pop Report Comparisons of Pre-War and Post-War Vintage
Whenever I write about anything involving the population reports from third party grading companies (i.e. PSA, SGC, and Beckett), I like to throw out the standard reminder that they aren't perfect. But what those "pop reports" can do is help give us an idea of the rarity between certain sets. Typically, I've used them in comparing the perceived rarity of sets from the same … [Read more...]