In 1923, the Montreal-based Maple Crispette Company produced a set of baseball cards. With the sport still growing in Canada, the set featured American major league players instead of locals. Here's a closer look at this rare set. V117 Maple Crispette Basics The 1923 V117 Maple Crispette set featured 30 major league baseball players. The issue had a clean look with … [Read more...]
Top Banner 486X60
Diminutive 1930 Baguer Chocolates Set Among Smallest Trading Card Issues
While baseball cards in the 1920s and 1930s were generally getting bigger in size than the tobacco and caramel cards that preceded them, one issue chose to go small. Tiny, actually. Let me introduce you to the 1930 Baguer Chocolates set, a Cuban issue that's unknown even to many knowledgeable collectors. 1930 Baguer Chocolates Overview Simply put, the 1930 Baguer Chocolates … [Read more...]
Photo Used for 1923 Walter Johnson Magazine Cover at Auction
Even in an “off” year, he was still considered “The Premier Pitcher of the American League”. That was the headline on the magazine cover as summer descended upon the United States 94 years ago. Walter Johnson wouldn’t win 20 games and his earned run average wasn’t nearly the best in the league but The Big Train was still a force at the age of 35. This month, the … [Read more...]
Smoky Joe Wood’s Photo of Epic 1912 Pitching Battle to Come
Imagine Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer riding long winning streaks. Imagine Dave Roberts agreeing to move Kershaw’s start up by a day so the two could face each other in an epic showdown—during the regular season. Imagine Scherzer warming up on the sideline before the game with fans lined up on either side, close enough to critique him, as he fired pitches to a … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Big Train at the Dish
If he were pitching today, he’d never step into the batter’s box but there was no designated hitter during Walter Johnson’s long career. He came to the plate more than 2,000 times between 1907 and 1927. One of those appearances, captured by a photographer, is now up for bid. The 8x10 photo shows Johnson following through on a swing during the 1920s. Our Photo of the Day … [Read more...]
E91 American Caramel Series An Affordable Pre-War Option
Pre-war baseball cards aren't always inexpensive. In fact, more times than not, their prices will put a severe damper on collector budgets. One of the more affordable mainstream issues, however, are the American Caramel E91 series. E91 Basics The cards are standard tobacco/caramel card size, measuring approximately 1 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" tall. Like other issues, these card have … [Read more...]
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...]
Opening Day Record-Setters and Their Rookie Cards
The long wait ended Sunday and baseball’s multi-day Opening Day festival continues Monday with 12 games on the docket. Some players just seem to perform better during the first game of the season. We thought we'd take a look at a few Opening Day records and the rookie cards of the players responsible for setting them. Most Opening Day Starts Tom Seaver’s big league … [Read more...]
One-of-a-Kind? Walter Johnson 1925 World Series Photo at Auction
He was 37 years old and still an ace, but not every moment was a winning one for The Big Train. The RMY Auctions Photo of the Day was taken in pre-game warmups before Game 7 of the 1925 World Series and shows Hall of Famer Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators shaking hands with his mound opponent, Lee Meadows of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The rare 7 ¾” x 10” photo … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Recalling Look-Alikes and Cardboard Rumors
When I first started at Beckett way back in 1990 as the primary football analyst, one card which had become strangely popular was the 1973 Topps Terry Owens and it had nothing to do with his success as an offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers. No, this was something that would have been quickly nipped in the bud during the internet age, but took on quite a life of its … [Read more...]
