It was an exercise in futility for Topps to get him to sign a baseball card contract so they could use his picture on its new bubble gum cards, but Stan Musial was no stranger to the camera. One of the most photographed players of the 1950s, Musial often flashed his famous grin while lensmen captured him posing with the bats he used to torment National League … [Read more...]
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Photo of the Day: Musial’s Pinch-Hit 3000th Sets off Midwest Party
Stan Musial always did things his way. From retiring as the St. Louis Cardinals’ general manager after just one (championship) season in 1967 to being the best harmonica player in the Hall of Fame, he was always interesting. On May 13, 1958, Musial added a few footnotes to the 3,000 hit club when he slammed a double of Moe Drabowsky at Wrigley Field to reach one of … [Read more...]
1948 Bowman Musial Rookie Card: In Color
Bubble gum cards made their return three years after the end of World War II with Bowman launching its first set. Printing in black-and-white may have saved some money at a time when color printing was still a costly challenge and acceptance from youngsters was no sure thing, but it leaves today's collectors a bit disappointed. The 1948 Bowman set includes a few key rookie … [Read more...]
1952 Berk Ross Baseball Set Offered Joe D, Mantle, Mays, Jackie
While Topps and Bowman began slugging it out to take control of the baseball card market in the early 1950s, another card set was quietly snaring pennies and nickels of young collectors. The 'Hit Parade of Champions' lasted just two years, 1951 and '52, with 72 cards in each set. The inaugural set included 40 baseball players and 32 stars from other sports. The 1952 Berk Ross … [Read more...]
Remembering ‘The Man’: Six Great Cards Of Stan Musial
Stan Musial played in his final major-league game on September 29, 1963, ending a 22-year career that saw him retire as the National League’s career hits leader. Consistent to the end, Musial gave the hometown St. Louis fans a 2-for-3 afternoon. Both hits came off Cincinnati Reds starter Jim Maloney, who was going for his 24th win of the season. The first … [Read more...]
1948 Bowman Baseball Set Launched Post-War Card Market
After a flurry of colorful and interesting issues released just as the Great Depression began to lift in the late 1930s, baseball cards disappeared from the American landscape after 1941 thanks to the ravages and rations of World War II. Seven long years later, and nearly three full years after our troops came home, the 1948 Bowman baseball set gave the hobby a tentative … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Why a Sport Rules a City and its Collectors
Whenever I set up at a show or have a conversation with a fellow hobbyist, there are times where the simplest question actually begets some real deep thoughts. One of the recent conversations I had centered around why Houston seems to be a far better card market than Dallas. I think there are two main reasons. The first is Tri Star being located in Houston really helps to … [Read more...]
Topps’ Scout Hunted Players’ Signatures in 1952
When Topps challenged Bowman for the pennies and nickels of baseball loving 1950s youngsters, it wasn't quite as simple as taking some photos, creating the front and back design and turning on a printing press. The card companies, even then, needed players to agree to be included. An article in the August 7, 1952 edition of the Berkshire Eagle offers some insight into the … [Read more...]
Photo of Musial’s Big League Arrival Surfaces
These days he would have had one by the time he appeared in the major leagues. In reality, Stan Musial didn’t find himself on a bubble gum card until 1948—seven seasons after his big league debut. World War II had something to do with that, of course, but the dearth of early Musial images makes a recent pretty special. If you love baseball history, the Vintage Photo of … [Read more...]
Musial Autographs Almost Gone; Stan the Man Inc. Closing
The offices of Stan the Man Inc. are closing, after nearly 25 years of handling the late Hall of Famer’s autographs and memorabilia. The company, run by Dick Zitzmann who was Musial’s business agent, has nearly run out of the remaining stock of Musial signed items and the remaining inventory is being moved to a warehouse. Friday was to be its last day of operation at … [Read more...]
