How much do people like 1954 Wilson Franks?

helionaut · February 1, 2003 6:22AM

Three auctions on ebay right now illustrate exactly how much.
This card has been in a fire, and looks like it. But at least 2 people covet it.
This card has been somewhat artfully restored.
This card is a parallelogram.

Interestingly, the writeup in the last auction says that some speculate less than 150 Williams exist. Anyone have any ideas about that?

theBobs · February 1, 2003 6:49AM

<< How much do people like 1954 Wilson Franks >>

This much (holding arms out to demonstrate the degree of 'like').

That Williams card is my 2nd favorite behind the Reese 53 Bowman Color. The white on white is amazing. The pose is amazing.

The way most people grade on ebay, the Ennis is a "great card for being 50 years old, with minor corner wear"

Griffins · February 1, 2003 7:28AM

I think you'll find that, at least among those who collect it, its an extremely popular set. Its a bit of a love/hate relationship for me, graphically its really nice, and a great selection of players, but its just so hard finding any of them, let alone in decent condition. What other set could torched cards get bids? That coupled with insane prices make it a tough set for most anyone. Witness the last Mastro auction where the set (in various lots) hit about $160,000 for 20 cards, and yesterdays ungraded Jablonski that went for over $600.
I think the nicest cards of Campy, Williams , Feller and Slaughter are in this set and even in a 3 are the high point of most collections. 1954 was a great year for regionals, with this one at the top of the bunch.

PS Helionaut, cool pic of Jay on Bicknell hill!

norty · February 1, 2003 7:58AM

We love this set! Unfortunately it seems like every card I am presented to buy looks just like the ones you linked to. A very, very hard set to find in high grade (or even in mid-grade) but they are beautiful.

murcerfan · February 1, 2003 9:47AM

totally over-rated

if you own any, dump them immediatly before the prices come back down to SMR.

norty · February 1, 2003 10:18AM

You can dump them to me!!!!

mikeschmidt · February 1, 2003 11:31AM

You have to love the independently produced regional card sets of the 1950s that have disappeared from the hobby today. A package of hot dogs on a baseball card? How can you not love it?! Something like this is much cooler than any of the bizarre, game-used, refracting inserts that anyone puts in their sets today....

RedHeart54 · February 1, 2003 11:44AM

<< A package of hot dogs on a baseball card? How can you not love it?! Something like this is much cooler than any of the bizarre, game-used, refracting inserts that anyone puts in their >>

Exactly. And let's not forget another regional set promoting something in 1954- Red Heart (

) dog food. Between hot dogs and dog food, was there ever a more golden era of regionals? Heck, throw in 1954 Red Mans! Hot dogs, dog food, and tobacco! Now THAT'S what I call good collectin'! (And eatin'!)

crazysc · February 1, 2003 11:49AM

I like the potato chips from '54 also - gosh, almost 50 years old!

interchanges · February 1, 2003 11:56AM

Don't forget potatoe chips! Now there's a smorgesboard!
I'm the guy who overpaid for the Jablonski. Once I get it, it's off to PSA for the remaining puzzle piece in my set.
It's OK though, considering what I paid for other cards years ago, I couldn't wait any longer to reach 100% for my set!
When I get it, I'll have a party! Wilson Franks and Stahl Meyers on the grill, big bowl of Dandee potatoe chips, and Red Heart Dog food for the dogs. Murcerfan, I expect you to bring dessert. Got a few boxes of Johnston cookies?

murcerfan · February 1, 2003 12:06PM

better than than that...............
I got some Potatoe Bread from Williams Baking (they spell like you and Dan Quail)

I should think the Glendale Hot Dogs would be a bit fresher over there.
Caramels can come and cook you some Tango Eggs for breakfast.

Griffins · February 1, 2003 12:08PM

Scott, I was only $6 behind you- when you have the big party I"ll get my brother in law Bubba to kick in a few pouches of Red Man! Congrats on finishing the set.

MS- never was a truer word said!

murcerfan · February 1, 2003 12:11PM

Caramels · February 1, 2003 1:45PM

[
Caramels can come and cook you some Tango Eggs for breakfast. >>

Cheese Boss,you forgot that I am the guy with the D-359's akin to the scan I sent you. I went from caramel man,( E-cards), to Bread man-(D-cards). I'm going to shrink down some jpegs and post them on here or in the beloved "Registry" Like i did to the first set of E-94 George Close Candy cards today! The Cobb had a weight of 10 as opposed to a 4.5 for the second highest card so I registered my PSA 7,second highest one ever graded and a few others to kick start some collectors to do the same.

And I agree,Wison Franks should of course all be liquidated right away to avoid the rush! LOL*

murcerfan · February 1, 2003 2:48PM

those D-359's are worthless, I mean with the mispelled pot-a-toe and all.
you should liquidate them to me asap, before they start to levi-tate your 12,000 lb. safe
all the way to scotty's mo-town Jablonski roast.

BOTN · February 1, 2003 5:06PM

I would have to agree with the bobs. Second to the 53 Bowman Reese, ranks the 54 Wilson Williams. Wilson's are incredibly tough to find in any condition better than VG EX. I tried putting the set together for 2 years in graded 6 or better and gave up. You would think that a small set consisting of 20 cards would be a piece of cake. The prices on the Mastro singles accurately reflect the real value of the cards. They are works of art.

Caramels · February 1, 2003 5:13PM

<< I would have to agree with the bobs.

Boy you are up late! I had to go bid on some of the stuff you have up for fun.and future profit!

Caramels · February 1, 2003 5:20PM

I forgot! "Cheese"! If this card is Mint-9 I cannot bench my own weight!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2705475508&category=16275

It first visted "Supercuts" or Edward Sizzercards!

BOTN · February 1, 2003 5:39PM

<< Boy you are up late! >>

I do not recommend taking an hour or two nap at 9 PM.

Caramels · February 1, 2003 6:29PM

<< 

<< Boy you are up late! >>

I do not recommend taking an hour or two nap at 9 PM. >>

O.K. This is Funny! YOU just sent me paypal money for a card of mine you won last night!!! hee hee hee!

Thank you....I will use it towards Wilson Potatoe cards Murcerfan just printed up....

murcerfan · February 2, 2003 3:12AM

Better than advertised

For all those lurkers also hawking this set. I owned this one for a while and it compares with some of the 3's i've had. It is a 2 for sure and high end at that.

Darth Grader must be one of them Vegetarians.........
or perhaps a Potatoe Head ? Either way he can't come to the Jablonski roast.
Unless of course he gives Scotty a 5.

theBobs · February 2, 2003 3:50AM

KSA 5 = PSA -2 ?

dstudeba · February 3, 2003 1:03AM

I agree with norty and mercerfan about the set being overrated. And when you are done dumping your Wilson Franks on them, I will take them!

I have been searching the web for Wilson Franks for a while (that is how I found this site) and I find more articles, discussions, and checklists about the set than actual cards for sale. Depressing, but also very challenging. Other than the lot at 707, they are really tough to find at all forget condition.

That KSA 5 Williams card makes me wonder what a KSA 1 would look like, I think the fire sale card would rate at least a 2!

Dan

---------------------------------

Trying to find 1954 Wilson Franks

How much do people like 1954 Wilson Franks?

Comments