In an extraordinary find for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a Northern California individual stumbled upon a time-honored collection of baseball cards, providing a tangible connection to the sport’s storied past. This remarkable discovery, made by an individual who reached out to Auction Monthly, a Granite Bay-based auction house, has propelled a trove of baseball history into the modern collecting hobby.
The journey of this collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly in late September. The man on the other end of the line revealed news of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wished to sell. Little did he know that this meeting would unveil a remarkable piece of history. Nestled within a rusty Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin was a carefully preserved assembly of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, their origins dating back over a century.
The collection once belonged to “Ed,” who was born in 1909, spent his childhood in Oakland, and sadly passed away in 1994. Ed’s unwavering affection for his collection of baseball cards lasted throughout his life. His son recounts that Ed, like many who lived through the Great Depression, never threw anything away. The tin, likely a gift from an uncle, became a childhood treasure chest, revealed to Ed’s son in his early years, and then rediscovered in a closet after his father’s passing in 1994.
Now, almost three decades since its rediscovery, the collection has found its way into a hobby that, while vastly different from the 1920s, still shares the same spark of fascination.
The tin contained an astounding array of over 600 cards, all from 1926 or earlier. The cards’ condition reflected their age and the love of the young hands that once held them. Many strip cards showed signs of being cherished possessions, often torn or cut and carried in pockets. Among the cards, the presence of Babe Ruth was pronounced, with no fewer than 20 cards depicting the legendary “Bambino.”
The collection boasted several highlights, including:
– A 1919-21 W514 Shoeless Joe Jackson card
– A 1921 E220 National Caramel Ruth card
– A 1922 American Caramel E121 Ruth card
– Cards representing nearly every player involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal
– Several Ruth cards from the W514 series dating from 1919-21
– Three 1920 W519 Ruth cards
– A 1922 American Caramel E121 Ty Cobb card
– A 1921 W516 Ty Cobb card
– A 1920 W519 George Sisler card
This incredible collection spanned several pre-War sets, encompassing a diverse selection of strip cards from 1919-1923, reflecting Ed’s childhood years, as well as several 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, which were distributed primarily on the west coast.
The auction company, upon acquiring the collection, was stunned by the number of Ruth cards, a discovery that underscored the collection’s significance. The company promptly set about selecting the finest cards for grading, while others were sold in their original state.
For the baseball card collecting world, this discovery is not merely a transaction or an addition of inventory. It is a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. Once a young boy’s pride, carried through the years in a tobacco tin, the collection now stands as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its heroes.
Each card, worn at the edges by not only time but also the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. This is the story of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler. Through these cards, he could hold a piece of his heroes in his hands. It’s a story that resonates with many collectors who appreciate not only the monetary value but also the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love of the game.
As the collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. The excitement of unearthing such a cache of memorabilia is akin to finding a hidden gem that, once polished, shines light on a bygone era of sports history. For collectors, historians, and baseball aficionados alike, the release of this century-old collection is a momentous event, linking tangible artifacts from the past with the passion of the present.
Each card from this remarkable find serves as a bridge across time, connecting the dots of baseball’s evolution. As the auction house processes the collection, each piece will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate not only the rarity but also the journey these cards have undergone. From the pocket of a young baseball fan in the early 20th century to a revered position in the collections of modern enthusiasts, these cards carry with them the essence of America’s pastime—a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire.