the Little League World Series........hobbyist John Selsam

[Comiskey]

I happened to be watching the little league world series today and remembered that in one of my old Robert Edward auction catalogs (6/28/1997) there was an incredible collection of baseball cards and memorabilia up for sale. The collection came from John Selsam, who according to the auction, was the treasurer of the Little League association. I have to say that this collection of vintage baseball cards is one of the most incredible I have ever seen for sale!

It looks as though he had Complete sets of:

-N162 Old Judges
-N28 with an album
-N29 Allen and Ginter
-T3 Turkey Red
-T201 Mecca Double Folders
-T202 Hassan triple folders
-two sets of T205's
-almost three sets of T206's
-T227 Miners Extra Tobacco
-P2 Sweet cap pins
-T200 1913 Fatima Team cards that he had framed
-etc

Highlights of his collection include:

-1927 Yankees autographed ball (all signatures look very bold)
-1928 Yankees autographed ball (again, beautiful sigs)
-T206 Eddie Plank in very good condition
-Ty Cobb Fatima Tobacco Advertising Piece

It looks as though he was also a huge fan of Christy Mathewson. He had for sale:

-W600 Sporting Life Cabinet
-1914 Cracker Jacks card
-1915 Cracker Jacks card
-L1 Leather
-T3 Turkey Red
-A bunch of Post cards of Matty
-Almost all of his E cards (E90-1, E90, E93, E103, E95, E125)
-A Christy Mathewson Team display
-A Christy Mathewson Memorial Benefit Game Tag

And, the list just goes on and on! Anyways, it looks like John had an incredible collection and I thought that in the spirit of baseball and the Little League World Series, we should share his collection today! Below I have included a bunch of scans from the auction catalog dated June 27-27, 1997. And, if any of you guys have any other stories of collections from the past, feel free to share them!

Jeff

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[Comiskey]

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[ethicsprof]

Wow!!
thanks for the memories.
and for sharing this incredible collection.

all the best,
barry

[oaks1912]

John was an advanced collector who I used to love to visit with at the old Willow Grove shows (Pre Fort Washington)... John loved doing things the old fashioned way, driving the back roads of Pennsylvania and the mid Atlantic, hitting antique shops along the way and talking with collectors in all fields (Not PSA or SGC or BVG either). Much of this was done during the 70's and 80's when there were fewer people doing this and an abundance of material to pick from. John shared a number of war stories, and did sell / trade a few things to me over the years, most of which I still have. His enthusiasm and integrity is sorely missed in the hobby.

[tedzan]

I'll add to Mark Macrae's post regarding John. I knew John in the early 1980's from the Willow Grove Shows. But, I first met John
at the Cooperstown Show (at the old Red Man Hall during the HOF weekend).
He was a unique person in this hobby. Always willing to share his unbelievable expertise with the collectors who were fortunate
to be at his table. One of John's favorite pastimes was to hit you with numerous BB trivia questions, while you were browsing
through his cards. His inventory ranged from Old Judges to 1970's cards.

When the doors would open to the public at Red Man Hall, there would be a rush to John's table to rummage thru his Tobacco
card "junk box". For John would always hide a HOFer (or two) in this box that was stocked with 100's of T-cards. One time, my
buddy beat me to it and found a Red Cobb in John's junk box. I will never forget John's enthusiastic smile when that occurred.

Believe me guys, John Selsam was one of the greatest in this hobby.


TED Z

[ndemech]

I am not even sure if anyone will see this since it is two years past the last post. John Selsam was my father and I can tell you that he lived and died by baseball. Worked it, collected it, and loved it. I can't tell you how many baseball cards I sorted as a child!

His death was the worst day of my life. I was only 24 and clearly still needed him in my life and miss him terribly still. I was able to retain about 18 pieces of his unbelievable collection that I still have today. I have no idea what its' value is but I am clear on what the value of it is to me. It is proudly displayed in a case in my living room.

It is heartwarming to read the posts about him. He was indeed a man of honor and integrity that taught me a lot about character.

Thank you for sharing your memories.

[DixieBaseball]

I am not even sure if anyone will see this since it is two years past the last post. John Selsam was my father and I can tell you that he lived and died by baseball. Worked it, collected it, and loved it. I can't tell you how many baseball cards I sorted as a child!

His death was the worst day of my life. I was only 24 and clearly still needed him in my life and miss him terribly still. I was able to retain about 18 pieces of his unbelievable collection that I still have today. I have no idea what its' value is but I am clear on what the value of it is to me. It is proudly displayed in a case in my living room.

It is heartwarming to read the posts about him. He was indeed a man of honor and integrity that taught me a lot about character.

Thank you for sharing your memories.

- Many will see it and Thank you for posting about your father. I traveled to Williamsport last year for my First LLWS with my Twin boys to support our home team (Tennessee) in the US Championship and unquestionably, this was the greatest weekend I have ever spent with my twin boys. Your father sounds like a wonderful human and if he spent part of his life working for LL, I know where his heart was... Great organization and again, thanks for the follow up post. Many folks will read your comments - Regards, J

[Leon]

I am not even sure if anyone will see this since it is two years past the last post. John Selsam was my father and I can tell you that he lived and died by baseball. Worked it, collected it, and loved it. I can't tell you how many baseball cards I sorted as a child!

His death was the worst day of my life. I was only 24 and clearly still needed him in my life and miss him terribly still. I was able to retain about 18 pieces of his unbelievable collection that I still have today. I have no idea what its' value is but I am clear on what the value of it is to me. It is proudly displayed in a case in my living room.

It is heartwarming to read the posts about him. He was indeed a man of honor and integrity that taught me a lot about character.

Thank you for sharing your memories.

Yes, thanks for coming on the board and saying a few words. Lots of collectors will read this. It sounds like your Dad was a wonderful man. We need more folks like him in this world.