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Pre-War Baseball Card Collecting Advice/Discussion

ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
As in, i'd like some.

to be totally honest, i dont have the stones to even start this thread on Net54 (Sorry Leon image because maybe, just maybe, i will change my mind.

ive reached a point in my card collecting life that i pretty much am at a stalemate. for the better part of the last 9 years, i have worked on my Post-War HOF RC Collection. I am one card shy, and that leaves me with a good feeling as a collector. That being said, i've always been afraid of the pre-war HOF RCs, mainly due to pricing and that there is so much debate as to what is and isnt a RC when it comes to that time period (THANKS Frank! image

Ive thought about picking up SGC/PSA (sorry, i dont think i'll ever be able to collect raw, nothing wrong with it, thats just me) cards of the Greats of the pre-war era.

Thumbing through the current SMR (and yes, i know its just a guide that goes to both extremes as far as pricing goes) it seems that PSA 1's/2's are not all that "costly" in relative terms.

If anyone would be so kind as to "school" me and anyone else that is not very knowledgeable in this area, it would be greatly appreciated.
Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle

Comments

  • MBMiller25MBMiller25 Posts: 6,057 ✭✭
    Eric, Those guys are good guys over there at Net54. I enjoy it over there. I am not the guy to educate you on Pre-War, as I know just enough to get both you and I in trouble.

    Look forward to catching up and talking Pre-War with ya next week.
  • CollectorAtWorkCollectorAtWork Posts: 859 ✭✭✭
    What makes collecting prewar rookie cards so daunting besides the price is that there are other issues such as what is the definition of a "card" and what type of card manufacturers do you want to include. For example, if you consider rookie cards only be to cards that fit into a standard size PSA (or SGC) holder, then you would be removing a number of postcard-size cards or larger premiums. In addition, some consider only rookie cards to be only from those card companies that released cards on a "national" basis, so do not include regional issues. Both of these can lead to a high degree of variance between collectors on what is a player's true rookie card. For example, many collectors consider Lou Gehrig's 1925 Exhibits to be his rookie card. However, this is postcard sized, so others don't include it. Other's consider Babe Ruth's 1916 M101-5/4 to be his rookie. However, Beckett considers this to be regional issue, so they put his rookie as the 1933 Goudey because they consider the first national distribution of Ruth's cards. Another issue with prewar rookie cards is that some sets are released over a period of years. For example, the 1925-31 W590 set has Lou Gehrig. Therefore, if you believe the set included Gehrig with the initial printing in 1925, it could be considered a rookie card for him also. Finally, many players have multiple different cards released during his "rookie" year. Therefore, in many cases there is no clear indication on what that player's "best" rookie card is among these. For example, Ty Cobb has multiple cards issued in his 1907 rookie year such as Wolverine News and Dietsche among others.

    For checklists of potential rookie cards to pick from I use the following references: Old Cardboard, True Rookie Cards, Earliest Collectibles.

    Good luck!
    Babe Ruth Master Set
    Lou Gehrig Master Set
    Non-Registry Collection
    Game Used Cards Collection
  • LeonLuckeyLeonLuckey Posts: 123


    << <i>As in, i'd like some.

    to be totally honest, i dont have the stones to even start this thread on Net54 (Sorry Leon image because maybe, just maybe, i will change my mind.

    ive reached a point in my card collecting life that i pretty much am at a stalemate. for the better part of the last 9 years, i have worked on my Post-War HOF RC Collection. I am one card shy, and that leaves me with a good feeling as a collector. That being said, i've always been afraid of the pre-war HOF RCs, mainly due to pricing and that there is so much debate as to what is and isnt a RC when it comes to that time period (THANKS Frank! image

    Ive thought about picking up SGC/PSA (sorry, i dont think i'll ever be able to collect raw, nothing wrong with it, thats just me) cards of the Greats of the pre-war era.

    Thumbing through the current SMR (and yes, i know its just a guide that goes to both extremes as far as pricing goes) it seems that PSA 1's/2's are not all that "costly" in relative terms.

    If anyone would be so kind as to "school" me and anyone else that is not very knowledgeable in this area, it would be greatly appreciated. >>



    Those collectors over on Net54baseball are a lot of good guys, just like here. As a matter of fact I would guess there are at least hundreds that are on both boards.

    The first thing to do, in your pre-war rookie quest, is to have a definition of what a pre-war rookie card will be which best fits your comfort level. After that you can compile a list and go from there. Good luck in the quest...
  • CharleyBrownCharleyBrown Posts: 209 ✭
    Leon's advice is sound, as is that of the others that have contributed.

    I'm actually in the same boat as you somewhat. I'm looking to expand my collection, and venture into the realm of pre-war. I contemplated the RC route, but in the end - I've decided to collect key cards that I know I will enjoy and marvel at for years to come.

    I wish I could give you more advice, but I think that which has already been offered is pretty good in and of itself.

    Shaun
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    Excellent excellent excellent Fellas!

    i really appreciate all your input.

    Matt, you know it Brother!

    Leon, i KNOW the guys over there are good folks. maybe i will ask over there if i get brave enough image

    Obviously T206 & Goudey are the the more well known names as far as card sets, in the traditional (albeit smaller) card size. Are there any other nationally distributed sets from the pre-war era that i should be reading up on?
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • MrVintageMrVintage Posts: 1,027 ✭✭✭
    Eric I think once you start collecting pre-war you will be hooked!!!!! Some of my favorites from that era are 1915 cracker jacks, 1932 U.S Caramel, 1933 George C Miller, 1933 Delong, Diamond Stars, Batter up. I will mainly be looking for pre-war at the show next week so I'm hoping they have some good stuff!!!!
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭


    << <i>Eric I think once you start collecting pre-war you will be hooked!!!!! Some of my favorites from that era are 1915 cracker jacks, 1932 U.S Caramel, 1933 George C Miller, 1933 Delong, Diamond Stars, Batter up. I will mainly be looking for pre-war at the show next week so I'm hoping they have some good stuff!!!! >>



    yea, i AM afraid of that! LOL
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
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