Collecting pre-war cards isn't always cheap. And when you add Hall of Famers to the mix and want them in halfway decent condition, things get progressively more expensive. However, if collecting Hall of Famers is your thing, there are still plenty of early pre-war cards to be had at affordable prices. Here are seven of them in no particular order. 1. Hank Greenberg 1939 Play … [Read more...] about Seven Affordable Pre-War Cards of Hall of Famers
pre-War
1910 E96 Philadelphia Caramel Set Was “2nd Series” of Prior Release
In 1909, the Philadelphia Caramel Company produced its first baseball card set (E95). The following year, the company returned with the E96 Philadelphia Caramel release and a slightly larger checklist. E96 Philadelphia Caramel Basics The E96 Philadelphia Caramel cards were very similar to the E95 set that preceded them. The size, 1 1/2" wide x 2 5/8" tall, remained exactly … [Read more...] about 1910 E96 Philadelphia Caramel Set Was “2nd Series” of Prior Release
10 Great 19th Century Tobacco Cards
Dating back to the 1800s, N-Cards (nineteenth century tobacco cards) remain popular with collectors more than 100 years after their creation. Here are ten standouts that are still not too difficult to find. There are surely more valuable cards but many of these remain within reach for today's collectors and offer a connection to some important names from baseball's distant … [Read more...] about 10 Great 19th Century Tobacco Cards
Huge Find of 1914, 1915 Cracker Jack Cards Consigned to Auction
It had been only about 40 years since Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other characters were among its most famous residents. Yet by 1914, just as any city kid in the east could do, a youngster could stop at a confectionery in South Dakota and buy a box of Cracker Jack. One such baseball loving boy named Oliver did just that, buying enough boxes and perhaps getting some … [Read more...] about Huge Find of 1914, 1915 Cracker Jack Cards Consigned to Auction
Walter Johnson: Buying The Big Train On A Small Budget
Playing in the major leagues with the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927, Walter Johnson is widely considered as one of the game's best pitchers of all time. As a player in the pre-war era, his cards might not seem all that attainable for the everyday collector at first glance. However, the Big Train's contemporary items may be a little more accessible than you … [Read more...] about Walter Johnson: Buying The Big Train On A Small Budget
Helmar’s Card of the Week: Claude Rossman, 1909 Detroit Tigers
We've teamed up with Helmar Brewing Company, makers of some of the hobby's most iconic art cards, for the "Card of the Week". This is the second installment in the series as we again feature one of the company's original, unique creations--and the story behind it. Learn about the cards, the series, the history and how you can own them through these weekly tales from the … [Read more...] about Helmar’s Card of the Week: Claude Rossman, 1909 Detroit Tigers
Set Break of the Month: 1911 Mecca Double Folders
In 1911, Mecca Cigarettes offered one of the most unusual baseball card sets ever created, each one a little work of art almost toy-like in design. The T201 Mecca Double Folders set includes 100 different players in a dual-image folding design, meaning there are 50 cards in all to collect. The unique design means the players on each rectangular ‘card’ share the bottom half of … [Read more...] about Set Break of the Month: 1911 Mecca Double Folders
Collector Research Yields Insight into 1916 Gimbels Baseball Cards
The hobby’s history is constantly being edited and re-written. Sometimes a new discovery about a vintage card set or piece of memorabilia is made when an item is consigned to an auction house, like the Four Base Hits John Clarkson or two unknown vintage player pins we learned about this past week. Other times, it’s simply a little leg work by collectors who are just … [Read more...] about Collector Research Yields Insight into 1916 Gimbels Baseball Cards
Find of Star-Laden Pre-War Cards Enters Hobby
Nearly 70 pre-War tobacco, caramel and gum cards, including more than 40 featuring Hall of Famers, will enter the hobby for the first time when Beckett Auctions launches its latest sale next week. The cards were consigned by a relative of the man who originally collected them many years ago. The group includes numerous T206s and a pair of 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth … [Read more...] about Find of Star-Laden Pre-War Cards Enters Hobby
5 Underrated T206 Cards
When people think of the T206 set, which made its debut all the way back in 1909 when William Taft was president, only one card comes to mind and it is the Holy Grail of baseball cards. Honus Wagner is, of course, the most well-known and most valuable card of them all. The set also contains cards of some of the early 20th century's most celebrated players like Ty Cobb, Walter … [Read more...] about 5 Underrated T206 Cards