Known in the American Card Catalog as T204, the 1909 Ramly set is one of the gems from the pre-war era that is available to collectors. Certainly, it doesn’t have the popularity or widespread appeal that the T205 and T206 sets have. However, it is appreciated by those who appreciate something that’s a little bit different. Black and white images of players are displayed inside of a unique gold frame, instantly distinguishing them from other cards of the time period.
Part of the reason Ramly cards are not sought after as much is because you see them less frequently than other sets. That rarity has led to some steep prices. Even those that don’t dare to pursue a complete set can still find locating a specific card or two to be somewhat difficult.
Another reason some folks shy away from this one? The set is missing some heavy hitters and it’s a bit like the T207 brown background set, in that regard. Collectors won’t find the likes of Ty Cobb or Christy Mathewson. Or Cy Young. And, of course, there’s no Honus Wagner — familiar for his absence in most tobacco sets. But the set is also missing many other Hall of Famers found in larger sets.
Still, the set is not missing talent altogether. Headlining the set is the card of Walter Johnson. Not only because he’s the biggest name in the set, but because the card is often cited as the rookie card of the Big Train. Today, it is a card that is difficult to find for less than five figures.
The set has some nice surprises beyond Johnson, too. There’s Eddie Plank, who was missing in action in many other releases. There are also some cards of managers. And other surprises, though, not necessarily good ones, include a number of spelling and even picture identification errors.
But to me, there’s one pretty unique card that’s a little different from the rest.
Tim Murnane
Who was Tim Murnane? My hunch is that even many collectors of pre-war era cards have not heard of him. But Murnane was a bonafide major leaguer, spending eight years in the National League, National Association, and Union Association for clubs in Philadelphia, Boston, Providence, and Middleton.
As evidenced in part with a respectable, but not particularly noteworthy, career .261 batting average, Murnane wasn’t exactly a star. But he did bat .360 as a rookie and once led the league stolen bases. He certainly had enough talent to remain employed in the big leagues for nearly a decade in all.
Thing is, Murnane played in the 19th century. He broke in with Middleton way back in 1872 and, after a five-year break in which he was a businessman (and, according to MLB historian John Thorn, became the first ever former player to become a professional writer), played a final year for the Boston Reds. With the Reds in the Union Association, his lone year in that league, he served as a player/manager.
Unlike managers featured in the set that were actively managing in the majors, Murnane was not. In fact, he is the only subject in the set that was not a current/recent player or manager. Of course, that begs the question — what was he doing there?
For starters, while Murnane’s playing and managing career had long since ended, he remained close to the game. He would go on to not only write for the Boston Globe, but eventually manage their entire sports department, according to Thorn. While Murnane was not a Hall of Fame player, he was one of 12 writers named to the Hall’s Roll of Honor in 1946. Even though he is perhaps best remembered as a sportswriter, Murnane eventually because President of the New England League and Eastern League. And it’s that title that adorns the front of his Ramly card.
His popularity, too, should be mentioned. Murnane was well-known and seemingly liked by players. Following an untimely death in 1917, many players took part in an exhibition game to raise funds for his family. As noted by SABR, it drew many popular players, including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Shoeless Joe Jackson, while raising approximately $13,000-$15,000.
Murnane’s card provides a black and white portrait image inside of the Ramly gold frame. His name is at the bottom, although, Timothy Hayes is abbreviated to ‘T.H.’ — a common trait of subject names on cards in this set. Murnane’s is also one of many cards in the set with a typo. His last name is listed as Murname instead of Murnane. Also, while Ramly is the name most given to the T204 set (as the cards were distributed with Ramly cigarettes), the cards were also used for promoting T.T.T. Cigarettes. Because of that, backs have advertisements either for Ramly or T.T.T.
Thus, was Murnane an important subject? No doubt. But his introduction into this set is still somewhat of a head-scratcher, simply because he was not a current player or manager. Many notable baseball subjects could have been included instead. Some collectors, such as this one, believe Murnane found his way into the set due to his Boston ties since the distributor of these cards was Boston-based Mentor Company, maker of the Ramly and T.T.T. cigarettes. However, the definitive reason for his appearance is not clear.
Prices and Rarity
Like other Ramly cards, the Murnane is not one that is terribly easy to find. That is evidenced by the pop reports by grading companies. To date, fewer than 50 Murnane Ramly cards have been graded, in total, by PSA, SGC, and Beckett combined. That is in line with other cards from the historic set.
Despite the unique nature of Murnane’s card, traditionally, it has not sold for much more than commons in the set do — usually starting around $100-$150 in low-grade condition with the Ramly ad on the back. One sold in that range on eBay last week. Cards featuring the much rarer T.T.T. advertisements on the back are generally more expensive.
Further, looking past the rarity and value, his card is important as I believe it is his only ‘traditional’ card. Playing in the 19th century, Murnane is pictured in some photographs and cabinet cards. However, his Ramly appearance is really his only baseball card available outside of those items.
Murnane’s card does not draw the interest or anywhere close to the value of some cards in the set. That said, it’s arguably the most fascinating card in a notable pre-war release that doesn’t get as much attention as it probably should.
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