I need help with some research

MRyanF

I am trying to compile a comprehensive history of baseball cards and the hobby that has grown up around collecting them. I am talking about an extremely detailed volume that will appeal only to the most serious collectors and will have info that is not available anywhere else.

What I need to start with are listings of various unique sets and historical data that can explain them. For example the various companies that produced cards, what things they tried, insight in to test issues and the like.

I want to try and find out and put into an accessible for thing like whether a change in corporate struture of a company had an impact on the cards and the various agreements that companies might have had with each other.

For example, the relationship between Milton Bradley and Topps, or O-Pee-Chee and Topps, or the various department store issues and Topps; legal documents regarding suits, mergers and the like between the card companies.

I also need data regarding trends in the hobby, like the boom of the early 90's and the like.

I know this will be a huge project to take on, but this is a resource that I have been wanting for a while and it is hard to come by. I know people out there have bits and pieces of it and there is a lot scattered across the web, but I am trying to pull it together and could use your help.

Anything you can send to me will be appreciated and proper credit will be given where due.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

calleocho

be ready to quit your day job!

charliehustle14

Ryan,

If you are super serious about this, I'd consider trying to purchase someone's complete collection of Sports Collectors Digest. I believe SCD is 31 years old and I would think that articles going back to 1973 would be a powerful resource for you. It would be a lot of work, but serious research for a book always is....My wife did research for a book a few years back (before I met her) and she said it was basically her life for 2 years. I don't know if you could find a library that carries a complete collection of SCD, but I would think that would be a real money (and time) saver for you.

Additionally, the 2004 Beckett Almanac offers a brief history of card collecting toward the front of the book. The "headers" for many sets in the book often offer some insight into the who, what, where, how, and why as well. I'm also aware of, but haven't read, a number of books that have been printed over the years detailing the history of card collecting.

Lastly, I'd also consider interviewing some of the hobby dealers who have been around for a long time...Maybe you could even get access to an old-time executive of Topps or two.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck on your pursuit.

--Todd--

calleocho

the topps stuff wouldn't be the hard part, books and personal accounts of various events survived to this day.

Now , 19th century stuff would require such extensive and nearly impossible amounts of research, the begginnings of baseball cards, their impact on the hobby, what economic- social relationships existed at that time, tabbacco monopolies, candy cards emergence into the hobby..etc.

easily a 25 year long book writing experience

MRyanF

You all are correct, this won't be a quick turnaround type of project, but it would be neat to have. And I would enjoy working on it too, so it seems like a good plan to me.

I like the idea of looking at old SCD mags and others like Baseball Card Magazine, etc. Does anyone have an idea of where to find such a repository?

Thanks.

elway65

I think you've had one too many cups of coffee this morning.

larryallen73

Ryan-
I am guessing you do not have any kids! Good luck with that project!
P.S. You must not have a wife either. Get the book done before you get a wife and kids!

MRyanF

Actually I do have both, a wife of 6 years and a son of 11 months.

I think as long at the research would keep me from spending my free time buying more cards my wife would be happy.

Obviously the project cant be all things to everyone, but I do want it to be a repository of some little known and neat things about the hobby.