In a thrilling find for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of century-old baseball cards has been uncovered, providing a tangible link to the sport’s rich history. Found by an individual in Northern California, this discovery has sent shockwaves through the collecting community.
The journey of this collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly, a Granite Bay-based auction house, in late September. The caller revealed that he had an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wished to sell. Little did he know that he was about to reveal a truly extraordinary piece of history. Within the rusty tin, a carefully preserved assortment of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards emerged, their origins dating back over a hundred years.
This extraordinary collection once belonged to a man named “Ed,” born in 1909, who spent his childhood in Oakland and passed away in 1994. Throughout his life, Ed held onto his cherished collection of baseball cards, a testament to his unwavering love for the sport. Like many who grew up during the Great Depression, Ed never threw anything away. The tin, likely a gift from an uncle, became a treasure chest of childhood memories, revealed to Ed’s son during his early years and rediscovered in a closet after his father’s passing.
Nearly three decades since its rediscovery, this remarkable collection has found its way into a modern hobby that still shares the same fascination with the sport’s past.
The tin housed an astonishing collection of over 600 cards, all dating from 1926 or earlier. Reflecting their age and the love of the young hands that once held them, the cards showed signs of wear and tear. Often torn or cut and carried in pockets, these strip cards were clearly cherished possessions. Among the collection, the presence of the legendary Babe Ruth was particularly notable, with no less than twenty cards featuring the “Bambino.”
Some of the highlights of this collection include a 1919-21 W514 Shoeless Joe Jackson card, a 1921 E220 National Caramel Ruth card, a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ruth card, and cards representing nearly every player involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. Additionally, there were 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, and a 1920 W519 George Sisler card.
This collection spanned multiple pre-War sets, showcasing a diverse selection of strip cards from 1919-1923, reflecting Ed’s childhood years, as well as several 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series widely distributed on the west coast.
The auction house was astounded by the number of Ruth cards in the collection, a testament to its significance. They promptly selected the finest cards for grading and sold others in their original state.
This discovery is more than just a transaction or an addition to the inventory of baseball card collectors. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. Once a proud possession of a young boy, safeguarded within a tobacco tin, this collection now stands as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its heroes.
Each card, worn at the edges not only by time but also by the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. It tells the story of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, allowing him to hold a piece of his heroes in his hands. This story resonates with many collectors, who collect not only for monetary value but also for the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love of the game.
As this collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. The excitement of discovering such a cache of memorabilia is akin to finding a hidden gem that, once polished, shines a 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, connecting tangible artifacts from the past with the present passion for collecting.
Each card from this remarkable find serves as a bridge across time, connecting the dots of baseball’s evolution. As the auction house prepares to process the collection, each piece will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate not only their rarity but also the journey these cards have undertaken. 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.