Little Pieces of History

Normally, when I buy sports cards, I buy unopened boxes of newer baseball product. I just love to rip open packs. I love the uncertainty of what you might get. In a sense, it's like opening many different little Christmas presents.

Recently I decided to go another route and buy some vintage cards where the only suspense involved was waiting for the mail. So, I went to a retailer I'm comfortable with 'Dave and Adam's Card World' and picked out a selection of pre-1960 cards to purchase. I didn't want to spend that much money so I capped myself at $100, but ended up only spending $75. I wasn't concerned with resale much, I just wanted to go back in time and see what the hobby used to look like.

I bought 6 cards. Here's a closer look at each:

1941 Play Ball #16 Hal Trosky. $18

I thought this was a great start and didn't expect to be able to purchase a card from 1941 for under $20. True it was my most expensive purchase but how cool is it! The player, Hal Trosky' was born in 1912. The card is even in decent shape for being 67 years old.


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1952 Topps #18 Merrill Combs. $9

I've never heard of Mr. Combs but I definitely wanted a 1952 Topps card in the mix. The card shows a ton of surface wear but so what.


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1953 Topps #192 Wally Westlake $6

I've never heard of Wally either. I scanned the photo oddly so you should know the card isn't cut off like that. I just got lazy and didn't want to re-scan.


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1955 Bowman #130 Richie Ashburn. $15

I love the TV set look. :-) Bowman must've been fighting Topps and obviously went with a somewhat unconventional look. The back's came with personal baseball memories from the player, interesting.


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1956 Topps #165 Red Schoendienst. $14

I dig this set. Love the design of them, what a great set. I have a different older card of 'Red' Schoendienst (what a last name) that I need to find in a box somewhere (sigh). I had to get this one too.


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1958 Topps #484 Frank Robinson AS $12

I thought this card was under priced and when I saw it, I know it is. It's really in very good shape -- definitely the best of the six I bought. Sure the centering is off and it might not grade that high but I am very happy with this one. The back of the card has the traditional look that was standard until around 1990.


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So, I had fun looking back at sports cards from bygone eras and am glad I own these 6 as examples of that history. I'll keep you posted as to whether I expand upon this tangent of my sports card collecting.