Earliest Collectibles of Baseball Hall of Famers

[bcbgcbrcb]

After a tremendous amount of extensive research, I have come up with the below list thus far as the earliest year for a professional baseball collectible picturing an image of each Baseball Hall of Famer:

1952 Hank Aaron (Indianapolis Clowns P/C)
1911 Grover Alexander (M101-2)
1987 Roberto Alomar (Wichita Minor League)
1937 Walter Alston (Rochester Team Premium)
1958 Sparky Anderson (LaPresse)
1868 Cap Anson (Marshalltown Team Photo) courtesy of Corey S. & Kevin S.
1953 Luis Aparicio (Venezuelan League)
1931 Luke Appling (4-on-1 Exhibits)
1948 Richie Ashburn (Philadelphia Bulletin/M114)
1926 Earl Averill (Zeenuts)

1908 Frank Baker (Reading Team P/C)
1909 Dave Bancroft (Superior RPPC)
1954 Ernie Banks (Topps/All-Star Photo Pack)
1955 Al Barlick (Bowman)
1896 Ed Barrow (Paterson Team Cabinet)
1887 Jake Beckley (Lincoln Team Cabinet) courtesy of Clint
1926 Cool Papa Bell (St. Louis Stars Team P/C)
1967 Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Team Issue)
1903 Chief Bender (E107/W600)

1946 Yogi Berra (Newark Team Photo)
1970 Bert Blyleven (Minnesota Team Issue)
1981 Wade Boggs (TCMA - Pawtucket)
1921 Jim Bottomley (Packers Team Photo)
1941 Lou Boudreau (Double Play)
1903 Roger Bresnahan (W600)
1971 George Brett (Billings Team Premium)
1962 Lou Brock (Topps)

1879 Dan Brouthers (NY Clipper Woodcut)
1901 Mordecai Brown (Terre-Haute Team Composite)
1935 Raymond Brown (Negro League Broadside)
1935 Willard Brown (KC Monarchs Team Photo)
1880's Morgan Bulkeley (Matthew Brady Cabinet)
1956 Jim Bunning (Mariano Team Photo)
1890 Jesse Burkett (Sporting Times - Giants Team Supplement)
1943 Roy Campanella (Mexican League Team P/C)

1965 Rod Carew (Orlando Team Photo Premium)
1908 Max Carey (Concordia Team Cabinet)
1965 Steve Carlton (Topps/St. Louis Team Issue)
1975 Gary Carter (Topps/TCMA IL All-Stars)
1840's Alexander Cartwright (Knickerbockers Team Dag Photo) courtesy of Barry S.
1955 Orlando Cepeda (Salem Team Photo)
1861 Henry Chadwick (St. George's Team Photo) courtesy of Barry S.

1898 Frank Chance (Chicago Team Photo Premium)
1949 Happy Chandler (Eureka)
1914 Oscar Charleston (US Military Team P/C)
1895 Jack Chesbro (Springfield Team Photo Supplement)
1955 Nestor Chylak (Bowman)
1898 Fred Clarke (Louisville Cabinet Card)
1885 John Clarkson (Harper's Weekly Chicago Team Photo Woodcut)
1952 Roberto Clemente (Santurce Team Composite)
1905 Ty Cobb (W601 - Detroit Team Composite Premium)
1924 Mickey Cochrane (Zeenuts)

1907 Eddie Collins (W600)
1893 Jimmy Collins (Buffalo Team Photo Cabinet)
1922 Earle Combs (Louisville Team Photo)
1879 Charles Comiskey (Dubuque Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1931 Jocko Conlan (LaPresse)
1950 Tom Connolly (Callahan HOF)
1879 Roger Connor (NY Clipper Woodcuts)
1923 Andy Cooper (Tomas Gutierrez/Nacionales)
1909 Stan Coveleski (Lancaster Team P/C)

1899 Sam Crawford (Chatham Team Cabinet) courtesy of Clint
1931 Joe Cronin (Washington Team Issue/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1873 Candy Cummings (Baltimore Team Composite) courtesy of Corey S.
1924 Kiki Cuyler (M114)
1944 Ray Dandridge (Mexican League Premium)
1890 George Davis (Ryder Studio Cabinet/Sporting Life Cleveland Team Woodcut)
1977 Andre Dawson (Topps/Montreal Team Issue Photo)
1935 Leon Day (Negro League Broadside)
1929 Dizzy Dean (San Antonio Team Composite Premium)
1889 Ed Delahanty (N172/MacIntire Studios Cabinet)

1931 Bill Dickey (W502/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1927 Martin Dihigo (Mallorquina)
1934 Joe DiMaggio (Zeenuts)
1946 Larry Doby (Newark Eagles X-Mas Card)
1937 Bobby Doerr (Goudey Wide-Pen Premiums)
1902 Barney Dreyfuss (Pittsburgh Gazette Supplement)
1955 Don Drysdale (Montreal Team Photo Premium)
1887 Hugh Duffy (Lowell Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1929 Leo Durocher (4-on-1 Exhibits)

1976 Dennis Eckersley (Topps/SSPC)
1910 Billy Evans (M101-2)
1903 Johnny Evers (W600)
1885 Buck Ewing (Harper's Weekly Woodcuts)
1914 Red Faber (Chicago Team P/C)
1936 Bob Feller (Boston American Stamps/Press Photo)
1931 Rick Ferrell (4-on-1 Exhibits)
1967 Rollie Fingers (Birmingham Team Photo)

1968 Carlton Fisk (Waterloo Team Photo) courtesy of Tony S.
1899 Elmer Flick (M101-1)
1951 Whitey Ford (Bowman/Berk Ross)
1909 Rube Foster (Leland Team P/C)
1927 Willie Foster (Mallorquina)
1945 Nellie Fox (Lancaster Team Photo)
1925 Jimmy Foxx (Exhibits P/C Backs)
1949 Ford Frick (Eureka)
1920 Frank Frisch (W519)

1879 Pud Galvin (Buffalo Team Photo Trade Card)
1922 Lou Gehrig (Hartford Team Photo)
1926 Charlie Gehringer (Exhibits)
1957 Bob Gibson (Columbus Team Photo Premium)
1928 Josh Gibson (Pittsburgh Crawfords Team Photo)
1956 Warren Giles (Topps)
1962 Pat Gillick (Elmira Team Photo) courtesy of Jodi B.
1929 Lefty Gomez (Zeenuts)
1938 Joe Gordon (Newark Team Photo)

1922 Goose Goslin (E120)
1972 Rich Gossage (Puerto Rican League Sticker)
1887 Frank Grant (Buffalo Team Cabinet)
1934 Hank Greenberg (Goudey/Batter-Up/Diamond Stars)
1889 Clark Griffith (N172)
1920 Burleigh Grimes (M114)
1921 Lefty Grove (Tip Top Bread/Baltimore Team Panorama)
1982 Tony Gwynn (TCMA - Hawaii)
1926 Chick Hafey (St. Louis Cardinals Team P/C)

1916 Jesse Haines (Springfield Team Panorama)
1889 Billy Hamilton (N172)
1879 Ned Hanlon (Albany Team Cabinet)
1956 William Harridge (Topps)
1921 Bucky Harris (Exhibits)
1922 Gabby Hartnett (E120/W573)
1984 Doug Harvey (Smokey the Bear Padres)
1913 Harry Heilmann (Zeenuts)

1977 Rickey Henderson (Chong - Modesto A's)
1929 Bill Herman (Louiville Team Photo)
1957 Whitey Herzog (Topps/Washington Team Issue)
1909 Pete Hill (Cabanas)
1907 Harry Hooper (St. Mary's P/C)
1915 Rogers Hornsby (Denison Team P/C)
1921 Waite Hoyt (American Caramel)
1955 Cal Hubbard (Bowman)

1926 Carl Hubbell (Toronto Team Panorama)
1904 Miller Huggins (W601)
1889 William Hulbert (Spalding Baseball Guide)
1965 Catfish Hunter (Topps/Athletics Team Issue Photo)
1948 Monte Irvin (El Indio)
1967 Reggie Jackson (Birmingham Team Photo)
1923 Travis Jackson (William Paterson/M114 NY Giants Team Premium)
1966 Fergie Jenkins (Topps/Chicago Team Issue)
1894 Hugh Jennings (Alpha Photo Engraving)

1903 Ban Johnson (Horner American League Composite)
1921 Judy Johnson (Original Cabinet Photo) courtesy of D. Granger
1907 Walter Johnson (Weisner Cabinet) courtesy of Jeff Prizner
1903 Addie Joss (E107/W600)
1954 Al Kaline (Topps/All-Star Photo Pack)
1879 Tim Keefe (New York Clipper Woodcut)
1892 Willie Keeler (Binghamton Team Cabinet)
1945 George Kell (Philadelphia Team Photo Pack)
1894 Joe Kelley (Alpha Photo Engraving)

1914 George Kelly (Spokane Team Photo P/C)
1879 King Kelly (1879 New York Clipper Woodcut)
1955 Harmon Killebrew (Topps/Topps Double Headers)
1941 Ralph Kiner (Albany Team Photo)
1925 Chuck Klein (Exhibit P/C Backs)
1910 Bill Klem (M101-2)
1955 Sandy Koufax (Topps/Golden Stamps)
1969 Bowie Kuhn (Topps Promo)

1897 Nap Lajoie (Leslie's Illustrated)
1916 Kenesaw Landis (Hartford Team Photo)
1986 Barry Larkin (Sportsflics Update)
1950 Tommy LaSorda (Big League Stars)
1922 Tony Lazzeri (Zeenuts)
1946 Bob Lemon (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1935 Buck Leonard (Negro League Broadside)
1924 Fred Lindstrom (M114 - Giants Team Photo Premium)
1910 Pop Lloyd (Punch)
1927 Ernie Lombardi (Oakland Team Photo)

1930 Al Lopez (Baguer Chocolates)
1924 Ted Lyons (Diaz Cigarettes)
1887 Connie Mack (N172)
1924 Biz Mackey (Aguilitas)
1947 Larry MacPhail (True Comics)
1981 Lee MacPhail (Perez Steele HOF P/C)
1996 Effa Manley (Negro League Playing Cards)
1948 Mickey Mantle (Independence Team Panorama)
1923 Heinie Manush (Tomas Gutierrez - Detroit Team Composite)
1912 Rabbit Maranville (Boston P/C)

1960 Juan Marichal (Tacoma Giants)
1907 Rube Marquard (Canton Team P/C)
1950 Ed Mathews (Atlanta Team Photo)
1901 Christy Mathewson (Police Gazette Supplements)
1951 Willie Mays (Bowman/M114)
1956 Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Team Photo Pack)
1909 Joe McCarthy (E254)
1887 Tommy McCarthy (N172)
1960 Willie McCovey (Topps/Jay Publishing)

1899 Joe McGinnity (M101-1)
1948 Bill McGowan (Umpire School P/C)
1894 John McGraw (Alpha Photo Engraving)
1906 Bill McKechnie (Washington Team P/C)
1885 Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Team Cabinet) courtesy of Gary P.
1933 Joe Medwick (Worch Cigars)
1910 Jose Mendez (Punch)
1933 Johnny Mize (Greensboro Team Photo)

1978 Paul Molitor (Topps)
1965 Joe Morgan (Topps/Houston Team Issue Photo)
1977 Eddie Murray (Baltimore Team Photo Pack)
1941 Stan Musial (Rochester Team Premium)
1939 Hal Newhouser (Salutation Exhibits)
1889 Kid Nichols (N172)

1964 Phil Niekro (Topps)
1966 Walter O'Malley (LA Dodgers Record Covers)
1871 Jim O'Rourke (Stratford Osceolas Team Photo) courtesy of Paul C.
1929 Mel Ott (Kashin/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1932 Satchell Paige (Pittsburgh Crawfords P/C)
1964 Jim Palmer (Aberdeen Team Photo Premium)
1921 Herb Pennock (E220)
1963 Tony Perez (San Diego Team Issue)
1961 Gaylord Perry (Tacoma Bank)

1902 Eddie Plank (W600)
1922 Alex Pompez (NY Cubans Team Photo)
1931 Cum Posey (Homestead Grays P/C)
1983 Kirby Puckett (Larry Fritsch - Visalia)
1879 Charles Radbourne (Dubuque Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1939 Pee Wee Reese (Louisville Team Photo Premium)

1973 Jim Rice (Venezuelan League Sticker)
1917 Sam Rice (Boston Store/Collins McCarthy/Standard Biscuit)
1906 Branch Rickey (W601 St. Louis P/C)
1980 Cal Ripken Jr. (Charlotte - Police)
1913 Eppa Rixey (T200 - Philadelphia)
1939 Phil Rizzuto (Kansas City Team Photo Premium)
1948 Robin Roberts (Philadelphia Bulletin)
1955 Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Team Issue)
1953 Frank Robinson (Butte Team Photo)
1946 Jackie Robinson (Parade Sportive)

1887 Wilbert Robinson (Kalamazoo Bats)
1916 Bullet Rogan (25th Infantry Panorama)
1909 Edd Roush (Oakland City Team Photo P/C)
1924 Red Ruffing (Diaz Cigarettes)
1889 Amos Rusie (N172)
1914 Babe Ruth (Baltimore News/Baltimore Orioles Team Photo/Providence Team Photo)
1968 Nolan Ryan (Topps)
1980 Ryne Sandberg (TCMA - Reading)
1961 Ron Santo (Topps/Manny's BB Land)

1911 Louis Santop (Lincoln Giants Team P/C)
1913 Ray Schalk (M101-2)
1971 Mike Schmidt (Reading Team Premium)
1945 Red Schoendienst (M114)
1967 Tom Seaver (Topps/Mets Team Issue P/C)
1887 Frank Selee (Oshkosh Team Cabinet)
1920 Joe Sewell (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1923 Al Simmons (Exhibits)

1916 George Sisler (M101-5/BF2 Ferguson Pennants)
1937 Enos Slaughter (Columbus Team Photo Premium)
1935 Hilton Smith (Bismarck Team Photo P/C)
1978 Ozzie Smith (Family Fun Center)
1946 Duke Snider (Fort Worth Team Photo)
1912 Billy Southworth (Portsmouth Team Photo)
1946 Warren Spahn (W602)
1867 Albert Spalding (Rockford CDV) courtesy of Gary P.
1908 Tris Speaker (Little Rock Team P/C)

1963 Willie Stargell (Topps/IDL Drugs)
1920 Turkey Stearnes (California League Photo)
1910 Casey Stengel (T210)
1976 Bruce Sutter (Chicago Tribune)
1926 Mule Suttles (St. Louis Stars Team Photo P/C)
1965 Don Sutton (Albuquerque Team Photo)
1916 Ben Taylor (Indianapolis Team Cabinet)
1923 Bill Terry (M114 - NY Giants Team Photo Premium)

1884 Sam Thompson (Evansville Photo) courtesy of Joe G.
1902 Joe Tinker (W600)
1923 Cristobal Torriente (Tomas Gutierrez/Billiken)
1922 Pie Traynor (E120)
1912 Dazzy Vance (Superior Team P/C) courtesy of Dan B.
1933 Arky Vaughan (Goudey/Worch Cigars)
1946 Bill Veeck (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1899 Rube Waddell (M101-1)
1895 Honus Wagner (Warren Team Imperial Cabinet)

1898 Bobby Wallace (National Copper Plate)
1904 Ed Walsh (W600)
1925 Lloyd Waner (Zeenuts)
1923 Paul Waner (Zeenuts)
1879 John Ward (New York Clipper Woodcuts)
1950 Earl Weaver (Winston-Salem Team Issue)
1920 George Weiss (New Haven Team Cabinet)
1879 Mickey Welch (New York Clipper Woodcuts)
1925 Willie Wells (St. Louis Stars P/C)
1900's Zach Wheat (Original Cabinet Card)

1884 Sol White (Bellaire Globe Team Photo) courtesy of Kenny C.
1950 Hoyt Wilhelm (Fosforos)
1910 J.L. Wilkinson (Hopkins Team Photo P/C)
1961 Billy Williams (Topps/Topps Stamps)
1950 Dick Williams (Almendares Team Premium)
1914 Joe Williams (NY Lincoln Giants Team Photo)
1937 Ted Williams (San Diego Team Premium)
1899 Vic Willis (M101-1)
1922 Hack Wilson (Martinsburg Team Photo P/C)
1933 Jud Wilson (Philadelphia Stars P/C)

1973 Dave Winfield (Dean's Photo Service)
1863 George Wright (Photographic Studio CDV)
1859 Harry Wright (Knickerbockers/Excelsiors Teams Photo) courtesy of Barry S.
1943 Early Wynn (M114)
1960 Carl Yastrzemski (Topps/Minneapolis Team Photo Premium)
1959 Tom Yawkey (Fleer - Ted Williams)
1890 Cy Young (Ryder Studio Cabinet/Rogers Studio Cabinet)
1917 Ross Youngs (M114 - NY Giants Team Photo Premium/NY Giants Team P/C) courtesy of Matt
1974 Robin Yount (Big Boy's Team Photo Premium)


I would love to hear from you guys/gals who know of anything that pre-dates what I have listed. Scans would be really fantastic but a simple description of the item would be great also.

Please find below, a listing of the earliest collectibles of the Sportswriters & Broadcasters recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as Spink Award Winners & Frick Award Winners. Those individuals who played in the Major/Negro Leagues are identified with an *

1949 Mel Allen (NY Yankees Photo Pack)
1951 Red Barber (Dodgers Broadcasters P/C)
1993 Marty Brennaman (Kahn's)
1953 Jack Brickhouse (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
1922 Heywood Broun (Original Photo)
1989 Jack Buck (Pro Set)
1940's Buck Canel (Press Photo)
1949 Harry Caray (Sunday Morning Baseball League Broadside)
1942 John Carmichael (Who's Who in Baseball Photo)
1973 Herb Carneal (Minnesota Twins Yearbook Photo)

1949 Jerry *Coleman (NY Yankees Photo Pack)
1952 Jimmy Dudley (Broadcasters P/C)
1938 Bob Elson (Baseball Dope Book Photo)
2006 Gene Elston (Frick Award Winner Photo)
1988 Hugh Fullerton (Eight Men Out)
1993 Peter Gammons (ESPN Press Photo)
1946 Joe *Garagiola (M114 - St. Louis Team Photo Premium)
1950's Curt Gowdy (Broadcasters P/C)
1970 Milo Hamilton (Atlanta Team Issue Photo)
1953 Ernie Harwell (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)

1953 Russ Hodges (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
2009 Jerome Holtzman (Jewish Baseball Update)
1998 Jaime Jarrin (LA Dodgers Team Issue Photo)
1984 Harry Kalas (Tastykake Phillies)
1952 John Kieran (Press Photo)
1957 Tony *Kubek (Topps/Yankees Team Photo Pack)
1925 Ring Lardner (Biography Photo)
2007 Denny Matthews (KC Royals Team Issue Photo)
1953 Arch McDonald (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
2004 Jon Miller (Fleer Announcing Greats)

1879 Tim *Murnane (New York Clipper Woodcut)
1988 Bob Murphy (Rini P/C)
1959 Lindsey Nelson (Phillies Cigars)
1995 Dave Niehaus (Seattle Team Issue)
1941 Buck *O'Neil (KC Monarchs Team Photo Broadside)
1953 Bob Prince (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
1951 Felo Ramirez (Press Photo)
1990 Joe Riechler (Little Sun)
1952 Grantland Rice (NFL Poster)
1915 Damon Runyon (Pittsburgh Post - Green Sheet)

1959 By Saam (Phillies Cigars)
1951 Vin Scully (Dodgers Broadcaster's P/C)
1999 Lon Simmons (Keebler)
1985 W. Red Smith (Life Magazine)
1952 J.G. Taylor Spink (Press Photo)
2004 Chuck Thompson (Baltimore Lottery)
1962 Bob *Uecker (Topps)
1957 Bob Wolff (Press Photo)
1990 Dick Young (Little Sun)

[baseballart]

Phil

I am exhausted just looking at the list. Another column to add (by some hardworking soul) would be the first year the HOFer played professional baseball. This information is available on www.baseball-reference.com and I suspect would be reasonably accurate for almost all the HOFers. How much do your dates differ, and what's the biggest gap between starting pro ball and having identified a collectible?

Max

[Bicem]

I'm sure all those guys have baby/childhood pictures somewhere out there though. :)

[bcbgcbrcb]

Very interesting question, Max. My guess is that in just about all cases, the answers will be almost exclusively 19th Century Ballplayers & Negro Leaguers. While this info would be quite accurate in general from www.baseball-reference.com like you stated, I believe that 19th Century info would be somewhat sketchy although I do have a good source of info for Negro Leaguers. Also, Umpires and Managers would likely have a sizeable gap as well.

[Kenny Cole]

Phil,

I have some photos, such as an 1884 Bellaire Globes photo with Sol White, which would predate your list if photos count. I posted them on the memorabilia side a while back. My Jud Wilson photo is from 1923 and there may be one or two others that are earlier than what is shown on the list you posted.

Kenny

[bcbgcbrcb]

You're right, Jeff, the most famous being the Babe's 3-year old photo.........

[barrysloate]

There are dags of Cartwright that date to the late 1840's and 1850's.

There is a photo of Henry Chadwick with the St. George's Cricket Club that dates to about 1861.

But that's a great list Phil and terrific research.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Kenny:

Great info, if I recall correctly, now that you mention it, the 1884 Sol White came from an REA or Mastro Auction a few years ago when the 1887 card was auctioned off also, correct?

Can you give any more info on the 1923 Jud Wilson?

Thanks

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Barry, your insight is most appreciated.

[Big Six]

The list would benefit from a column reflecting the item that the date is based upon...for example, using Lou Brock as an example, you would list the item in question (Topps card #387)...that would also make it easier for folks to update the list...regardless, thats a tremendous resource you created...

[barrysloate]

Phil- let me also add there's an image of Harry Wright from 1859. If you have Spalding's book America's National Game, he is pictured on the foldout plate of the Knickerbockers and Excelsiors. He is clean shaven and looks very young.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I agree, Matt. That is my plan, over the next week, I will add the actual items that originate from the years mentioned, at least a brief description of each.

[Kenny Cole]

Phil,

The Sol White photo came from REA in 2008. The 1923 Jud Wilson came from REA 2004. So did the circa 1920's Joe Williams photo (along with a 1925 Charleston photo). My circa 1920's Judy Johnson photo came from a 2001 Hunt auction which had several lots of photos from the Johnson estate. I got the 1927 Willie Foster photo from Lelands in 2005. Hope this helps.

Kenny

[Ohio_Collectibles]

Also, Nolan Ryan should be 1967, as he is mentioned on the 1967 TOPPS 42 METS TEAM
\

[glynparson]

Is pictured in the 1962 pirates yearbook I don't know if that counts or not.

[Rob D.]

Is pictured in the 1962 pirates yearbook I don't know if that counts or not.

I think pages from magazines, programs and yearbooks count. Beckett slabs them.

[orator1]

1873 Jim O'Rourke

Don't know if this counts, but it's O'Rourke's earliest baseball photo. He was 20 years old and his team was the 1871 Stratford Osceolas.
O'Rourke is standing on the right.
This "albumen photo" was auctioned by Lelands several years ago.

The caption under the photo is:
"Osceola Base Ball Club of Stratford. Champions of Connecticut, 1871."

[benjulmag]

Phil,

Outstanding contribution to the hobby!!

Two minor emends:
1. Cap Anson. Earliest known image is a team shot with the c. 1868 Marshalltown, Iowa team.
2. Candy Cummings. There is a mammoth plate composite of the 1873 Baltimore team, consisting of individual Cdv's of the team members, including Candy Cummings.

[baseballart]

Ring Lardner's date of 1925 is not correct (perhaps it's a typo of 1915). He wrote a baseball book on the world tour in 1914; there may be a photo of him in there.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/400791481_2e6fdfb1ab_o.jpg

Max

[triwak]

Good stuff, Phil!!!

[calvindog]

I think pages from magazines, programs and yearbooks count. Beckett slabs them.

Beckett slabbed that grilled cheese sandwich with the likeness of Lajoie; apparently it dated back to 1887 when he was a fifth grader who didn't always finish his lunch.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just to clarify since several people have asked, I am including original press/wire photos in my listing but no magazine, program, or yearbook pages as the Reach/Spalding BB Guides alone from the early 1900's would make up almost a complete list by themselves.

[e107collector]

Beckett slabbed that grilled cheese sandwich with the likeness of Lajoie; apparently it dated back to 1887 when he was a fifth grader who didn't always finish his lunch.

Jeff that was hilarious!

Tony

[Bicem]

what is the 1902 Joss item?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Jeff:

My mistake, Joss should read 1903 - E107, W600. I will correct it over the next couple of days when I update the entire list.

Thanks

[slidekellyslide]

1948 Photo of Nellie Fox in Lincoln (See the Gooch's Mill in the background - that still exists today just a mile down the road from where I'm at right now)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/nudan92/1947-1961%20Lincoln%20Baseball/photo1948-2.jpg

I also have another shot of Nellie from the same year, but am not allowed to post it on the internets because I don't own the rights and was asked not to post it anywhere.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Very cool, Dan. That one will be added to the list shortly.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I have just updated my listing to include the names of each collectibles issue. It would take a tremendous amount of work to also include each HOF'ers first professional baseball season so I am not going to do that at this time. If anyone would like to work on that project and feed me the info, I would be happy to add that information to my listing at any time. Any further recommendations are always welcome.

[glchen]

Just to clarify since several people have asked, I am including original press/wire photos in my listing but no magazine, program, or yearbook pages as the Reach/Spalding BB Guides alone from the early 1900's would make up almost a complete list by themselves.

This is a great list. It would be nice if you also included a column that contained the earliest known "card" of the player, and therefore excluded press/wire photos, magazine, program, and yearbook pages also. Regardless, really appreciate this tremendous work that you've done.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Gary:

The "cards" only listing is already in the OldCardboard website database at www.oldcardboard.com

Just click on the "Reference Data" tab and then "Rookie Card Database"

[glchen]

Gary:

The "cards" only listing is already in the OldCardboard website database at www.oldcardboard.com

Just click on the "Reference Data" tab and then "Rookie Card Database"

That's true. Great for pointing that out. I guess the only differences for the "cards" would then be that here you include team composites while your reference on Old Cardboard doesn't.

Edit: The Reference Data tab on the Old Cardboard website doesn't seem to be there anymore, so here's the direct link to the Rookie Card page: Link (http://www.oldcardboard.com/ref/rookies/RookiesList.asp)

[vintagehofrookies]

Phil,
Absolutely Terrific job!!! This is such a great tool for us fellow HOF Rookie collectors,
Thank You for your great research!
Dan

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Dan

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just wondering if anyone has anything else to add to my list?

[Joe_G.]

Phil, you have ten HOFer's earliest baseball image as being in the Old Judge set. Each of these players were introduced to the set in either 1887, 1888, or 1889. Most of your entries indicate an 1887 debut which is incorrect. Here are the ten HOFers with some corrections.

<b>Jake Beckley</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1888 as both N172 & N173 (St. Louis Whites)
<b>Ed Delahanty</b> => You have the correct year of 1889, issued as both N172 and N173
<b>Hugh Duffy</b> => You have the correct year of 1888, issued as at least an N172, N173s could date to either 1888 or 1889 (likely issued both years)
<b>Clark Griffith</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1889, no known N173
<b>Billy Hamilton</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1889 as both N172 and N173
<b>Connie Mack</b> => You have the correct date of 1887, issued as an N172
<b>Tommy McCarthy</b> => You have the correct date of 1887, issued as both an N172 and N175
<b>Bid McPhee</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1888 as at least an N172, can’t guarantee N173 dates to same year (only one known copy)
<b>Kid Nichols</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1889 as both N172 and N173
<b>Amos Rusie</b> => First Old Judge issued in 1889 as both N172 and N173

[bcbgcbrcb]

Joe:

Thanks for the info, my list has now been updated.

[Matt]

This oversized PC with an early image of Ross Youngs is contemporary with the Baseball Magazine Premium on your list (it is a bit more "card"-esque).
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pAhpQ3jIX9M/TO_hxIhI-wI/AAAAAAAAJ40/DgaDTN74A48/s800/PC0003004.jpg

[ksfarmboy]

Phil, there is an earlier image of Beckley on this Lincoln cabinet. Not sure which one he is off hand but if I find the catalog this came out of I'll post it.

[slidekellyslide]

This oversized PC with an early image of Ross Youngs is contemporary with the Baseball Magazine Premium on your list (it is a bit more "card"-esque).


I have seen snapshot photographs of Ross Youngs from his minor league days. They were on ebay years ago..I bid, but did not win them. Perhaps Rhys Y won them?

[slidekellyslide]

Phil, there is an earlier image of Beckley on this Lincoln cabinet. Not sure which one he is off hand but if I find the catalog this came out of I'll post it.

Beckley is on the far right in the middle row.

[Butch7999]

Fantastic research, Phil. Kudos on the Herculean effort.
Question: almost every item seems to be a card, postcard, or photo, although you describe the list as including "collectibles" -- do games count? Red Barber's Big League Baseball Game dates to 1950...

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thank you very much for the latest updates, guys. I will update my master list at the beginning of this thread accordingly. Any more suggestions are always welcomed.

[novakjr]

I notice that this list seems to include the Frick award winners...Why not add the Spink winners as well?

[bcbgcbrcb]

David:

Good observation. Where I have found collectibles for them, the Spink Award winners have already been included, ie- Tim Murnane, etc. They tend to be much tougher to locate than the Broadcasters.

[novakjr]

David:

Good observation. Where I have found collectibles for them, the Spink Award winners have already been included, ie- Tim Murnane, etc. They tend to be much tougher to locate than the Broadcasters.

Cool, I didn't notice Murnane. With the Spink winners, do you think a book written by them would be applicable? I've got a signed first edition of "Don't knock the Rock" by Gordon Cobbledick from 1966. He died in 1969. He also played football for Case Institute of Technology(now Case Western Reserve) and graduated in 1910, so I imagine he's probably in a team photo somewhere(although I can't confirm one exists). I also imagine alot of the writers and/or broadcasters played some sort of college sports somewhere and would be in old team photo's/yearbooks.

Anyways, there's a few copies of the book on Amazon right now, but I haven't seen another signed copy on the net.
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Knock-Rock-Rocky-Colavito/dp/B0007E1B5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294763036&sr=8-1

[oldjudge]

Duffy-1887 Lowell BBC Cabinet (see page 213 of Old Judge book)

Phil--You need to update Beckley per the prior post on the Western League cabinet

[bcbgcbrcb]

Recommended updates have now been made for Beckley, Duffy & Youngs.

Regarding the inquiry about a board game as a "collectible", I would say that if the board game had "cards" as part of it then I would certainly count the cards but probably not a complete board game in itself. Obviously, it is a collectible but I guess my criteria should state "paper collectibles".

Regarding the inquiry about books for the journalists, that would seem to make sense, just not sure about a complete book as a "paper collectible". It would be many, many papers............

[glynparson]

What's Bert's earliest anything before the 1971 topps/O-pee-Chee

[WillowGrove]

Hey Phil -

I thought I would mention an original Baltimore team photo with Babe Ruth (that I sold years ago at a Christie's auction). It was taken in spring training of 1914 (March --?)and I was wondering if this photo would pre-date Ruth's great Baltimore News card.

I have a copy of the photo I could send you.

thanks again for this amazing list.

peter

[Baseball Rarities]

Hey Phil -

I thought I would mention an original Baltimore team photo with Babe Ruth (that I sold years ago at a Christie's auction). It was taken in spring training of 1914 (March --?)and I was wondering if this photo would pre-date Ruth's great Baltimore News card.

I have a copy of the photo I could send you.

thanks again for this amazing list.

peter

Any way that you could post the photo here? I would love to see it. If not, can you send me a copy to baseballrarities@cox.net?

I would imagine that since the Baltimore News cards were issued with the upcoming season's schedule on the back, that they were also initially issued sometime during spring training. It is probably impossible to know which was made first.

[oldjudge]

Phil-On page 184 of the Old Judge book we have an image of a cabinet of the 1879 Dubuque Rabbits, league champions of the North West League. On that team were Hoss Radbourn and Charles Comiskey. There is some debate as to whether this piece is period but I have a copy that I have brought to a paper conservator who said that she believes that it is period.

[WillowGrove]

Any way that you could post the photo here? I would love to see it. If not, can you send me a copy to baseballrarities@cox.net?

I would imagine that since the Baltimore News cards were issued with the upcoming season's schedule on the back, that they were also initially issued sometime during spring training. It is probably impossible to know which was made first.

Here's the photo of Ruth with Baltimore. Both combined make up the complete shot. FYI - The HOF did not have this photo in their archives so they accepted a copy of it back in 1990.

Wish I had the time to research the date it was taken! Hope this helps. (Phil: Don't mean to make this a thread on Ruth)

thanks

[frohme]

If anyone would like to work on that project and feed me the info, I would be happy to add that information to my listing at any time.

Sent you a PM, Phil.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I have just updated my listing with the 2011 inductees, Roberto Alomar, Pat Gillick & Bert Blyleven. Also, updated Ruth, Comiskey & Radbourne as per recommendations of fellow board members.

Thanks again guys and keep the updates coming!

[bcbgcbrcb]

It's been a while since I posted this list so I just thought I would try again and see if anyone can come up with any new updates?

[novakjr]

I'd suggest maybe adding a second tier for players that are currently listed on team cards or photos, to include their first collectible as an individual as well.

[fkw]

Hi, great list, this is the first time I read through it.

One correction...

Frank Frisch is found in the 1920 W519, 1920 W519-2-1, 1920 W519-2-2,
no Frisch is in the W520.


Also was curious on why you would include a picture of Berra as a 13 year old kid non-pro player, yet no other players have kids pics included???

I would think the cutoff should be as a PRO, otherwise the list would be dominated with family pics showing the players as babies or kid.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks for the input, Frank. Corrections have been made on Frisch and Berra.

David:

Basically, the individual player list already exists on the webpage that Lyman and I designed on OldCardboard. Here is a link to it:

http://www.oldcardboard.com/ref/rookies/RookiesList.asp

[GaryPassamonte]

Phil,
There is an 1885 Cincinnati team image with McPhee in Lipset's current auction - Lot 15.
Also, there is an individual CdV of Spalding in REA 6/1996 auction Lot 52. The description lists 1866-68 as its date.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Gary. I received Lew's catalogue yesterday in th email and saw the McPhee photo but did not get a chance to update my list yet, it has now been updated.

Would you happen to have a scan of the Spalding CDV? The REA website does not maintain archives that far back or do you have a copy of that catalogue with the lot description?

Thanks for your help!

[GaryPassamonte]

This isn't my forte, but here's a try.

[ElCabron]

So, wait, you're including photos even when they have cards or premiums? I thought you only used photos when there were no cards or premiums known to exist for a player. And broadsides, too? Not sure I understand the criteria. If photos count, nearly all of the Negro Leaguers have earlier items than what you have listed.

-Ryan

[bcbgcbrcb]

Very interesting, Gary, thank you so much for your efforts. I will go ahead and update the Albert Spalding collectible.

Ryan:

For this "Earliest Collectible" list, I have included both individual as well as team photos, with the only real limitation is that the item must coincide closely with the beginning of their professional career (ie - no baby, little league photos, etc.) The HOF Rookies list on OldCardboard sticks to the more "traditional cards".

[slidekellyslide]

Phil, do you happen to have a photo of the 1915 Dazzy Vance Pittsburgh Post Green Sheet? I don't see that one listed on the OC website list. Thanks!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here you go, Dan...........

[slidekellyslide]

Thanks Phil...I'm guessing it's a newspaper supplement?

[bcbgcbrcb]

More like a mini-booklet, the scan shows it open-faced with each page around 5" X 7"

[bcbgcbrcb]

Much thanks to Jodi B. for the latest update on Pat Gillick, a whopping 35 years earlier than his previously listed collectible!!!

[h2oya311]

I haven't been on this forum in a while, but I have a 1909 Lancaster Red Roses (Tri-State - Minor League) Team Postcard with Mr. Stan Coveleski on it. It was his first year of professional baseball.

I assume this would trump the 1914 Team PC you have listed at the beginning of this thread. I'd be happy to post a picture when I get home from work tonight, if anyone is interested.

Probably not too many of these floating around out there...;)

[E93]

There is always the 1910 E93 Standard Caramel. :)

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6887/e93covaleskicut.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/683/e93covaleskicut.jpg/)

[bcbgcbrcb]

I believe that the E93 is another Coveleski other than Stan.

The 1909 Lancaster P/C is the earliest Coveleski piece, I am going to update my listing right now. Thanks you for the info.

[benchod]

Harry

[slidekellyslide]

I believe that the E93 is another Coveleski other than Stan.

The 1909 Lancaster P/C is the earliest Coveleski piece, I am going to update my listing right now. Thanks you for the info.

You need to update that Dazzy Vance listing too. :)

[benchod]

Harry Coveleski played for Lancaster in 1908
Are you sure the postcard depicts Stan?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Craig:

Actually both Coveleskis are pictured and named on the postcard.

Dan:

Vance is now updated, thanks for your input.

[benchod]

Thanks
Would like to see a scan of the pc, Phil
The e93 is Harry "the Giant killer"

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here's a scan of the Lancaster postcard, the other Coveleski pictured is J. Coveleski.

[benchod]

Thanks Phil
No wonder they were champions with Harry and Stan pitching!

[ls7plus]

Boy, am I glad that I'm not a completionist with regard to my collection of HOF'ers--pure unobtainium!

Larry

[bcbgcbrcb]

Larry:

With a lot of wit and a great deal of patience (some money doesn't hurt either), a complete set of Hall of Famers, even with all career contemporary cards, seems possible, maybe not Rookie Cards but upgrades can always be made later on.

[pro9]

Regarding Stan Coveleski, I believe his earliest collectible would be the May 16, 1909 North American Supplement, which depicts him on the Lancaster team.

[bcbgcbrcb]

If you could post a scan of that North American Supplement, I will add it to the list for Coveleski.

[ksfarmboy]

Phil, here's a pic of Sam Crawford with the 1899 Chathams of the Canadian League. It was sold in the same auction as the Beckley Lincoln cabinet. Another update for your list. Sorry for the poor picture but it's the best I can do. Crawford is far left in the top row.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks for the pics, Clint. Beckley & Crawford have now been updated.

[slidekellyslide]

Phil, here's a pic of Sam Crawford with the 1899 Chathams of the Canadian League. It was sold in the same auction as the Beckley Lincoln cabinet. Another update for your list. Sorry for the poor picture but it's the best I can do. Crawford is far left in the top row.

Both of those in the same lot?? Where was I at when that auction was going on?? :D

[bcbgcbrcb]

Dan:

My guess is that they were both sold during the same event but not as one lot.

[ksfarmboy]

Dan, you may not have been collecting Nebraska baseball then. It was Christies 1995 auction and they were two different lots. Misplaced my bid sheet so I don't know how much they went for.

[slidekellyslide]

I was collecting Lincoln minor league stuff, but I was woefully ignorant of the large auction houses in 1995...I think the only baseball memorabilia auction that I was aware of around that time was the Jerry Smolin/Barry Sloate auctions and that's because the catalogs came tucked inside the SCD magazine.

[ksfarmboy]

Dan, Yeah the same for me. This was about the time I started getting into the big auctions. The estimates were $800-$1000 on both of them. I still can't find my prices realized on them.

[383astro]

Do you have a pic of the 1950 Atlanta Crackers team picture (Mathews)? I would like to see this. Thanks

[bcbgcbrcb]

The Atlanta Crackers team photo was in a MEARS auction several months ago. If they have an auction archive, it would be in there.

[383astro]

awesome, thanks. Have you ever thought about adding in some of the baseball greats that arent in the HOF? Like Maris, Marion, Hodges, Kluszewski, Santo, Munson, Kaat, Cash, etc.

[bcbgcbrcb]

If you go beyond HOF'ers, which is a relatively small and well-defined group, where would you draw the line to stop?

I recently posted a similar thought about researching non-HOF'ers rookie cards for pre-war players but no one responded that they wanted to get involved.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just made a few more updates today. Does anyone else have anything to add at this point?

[Andy Sandler]

Hi! Some things I collect are high school and college yearbooks with hall of fame players and other famous athletes pictured. I would love to find a Bucknell University yearbook with Christy Mathewson in it as well as a Sandy Koufax high school yearbook. I currently have over a hundred others such as Cum Posey, Miller Huggins, John Wayne, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Jim Brown, Tiger Woods, Tom Seaver, Robert Zuppke, Ray Berry, Ollie Matson, Red Grange, Bob Lilly, Bob Cousy, Adolph Rupp, Willis Reed, etc. In these, you see them as teenagers and more than just statistics!!
Thanks, Andy Sandler alwysyakn@aol.com (845) 331-8610 NY

[triwak]

Andy, have you ever encountered any photos/memorabilia/cards of Negro Leaguer and HOFer Bill (Willie) Foster? After his playing days, he coached baseball at his alma mater, Alcorn State College, from 1960-77. I've always wondered if there were any team issues picturing him. Thanks ~ Ken

[Kenny Cole]

Ken,

Here's a circa 1927 photo of Willie Foster from the Foster Estate.

Kenny Cole

[DanP]

Ken,

Here's a circa 1927 photo of Willie Foster from the Foster Estate.

Kenny Cole

WOW! What a great piece...:eek::eek:

[bcbgcbrcb]

Kenny:

Very nice, that's not the one from the recent Hake's Auction, is it?

[Kenny Cole]

Phil,

No, I bought it about 6 years ago.

Kenny

[cwazzy]

GREAT thread! Does anyone have a scan of the 1943 Mexican League PC featuring Roy Campanella? And does anyone know how much it would likely sell for and where I could possibly get my hands on one? Thanks!

[Andy Sandler]

Andy, have you ever encountered any photos/memorabilia/cards of Negro Leaguer and HOFer Bill (Willie) Foster? After his playing days, he coached baseball at his alma mater, Alcorn State College, from 1960-77. I've always wondered if there were any team issues picturing him. Thanks ~ Ken

Hi Ken! No, I have not had any from Alcorn State during those years but I did have an early Vermont yearbook that pictured the Cuban X Giants who the college team was playing.
Thanks, Andy

[bcbgcbrcb]

Chris:

Not for sale but here is a scan. Campanella is standing in the back row, second from the right.

[cwazzy]

Thanks, Phil! Fruitless PM sent. LOL

[Scott Garner]

Hi Phil,

Great job & what a project- wow!! Sorry I'm late to the game commenting here, but I'm a lurker on all categories but sports memorabilia on net54, but happened to pick up on your thread.

FYI, Nolan's first press photo was from September, 1966, not 1967. The photo ran in the Sporting News coverage over Mets prospects Nolan Ryan and Shaun Fitzmaurice.

I hope this helps. BTW, I am an advanced Nolan Ryan collector of 39 years.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Hey, Scott:

I appreciate your input regarding Nolan Ryan. Do you have a scan of the 1966 press photo? If you could either post it here or e-mail it to me at vguerrerobb@yahoo.com, I would be happy to update my listing.

Thanks,

Phil

[bcbgcbrcb]

I Just want to get everyone's opinions on something. I am thinking of removing the Broadcasters and Sportswriters from my listing as it does not appear that there is a whole lot of interest in them and that would shorten the list considerably. I have also not been keeping up with updates on these categories as I have discontinued following them myself.

So, what do you think, should they stay or should they go?

[novakjr]

I Just want to get everyone's opinions on something. I am thinking of removing the Broadcasters and Sportswriters from my listing as it does not appear that there is a whole lot of interest in them and that would shorten the list considerably. I have also not been keeping up with updates on these categories as I have discontinued following them myself.

So, what do you think, should they stay or should they go?

I'd keep 'em, BUT separate them. Just give 'em their own category at the end of the list, that way people don't have to shuffle trough all of them if they don't want to. Maybe, put an asterix or something next to the broadcasters and sportswriters who were once players. I'm sure people would still have a little more interest in them..

[Scott Garner]

Hey, Scott:

I appreciate your input regarding Nolan Ryan. Do you have a scan of the 1966 press photo? If you could either post it here or e-mail it to me at vguerrerobb@yahoo.com, I would be happy to update my listing.

Thanks,

Phil


Hi Phil,

No problem! By the way, this photo and story ran in the September 24, 1966 issue of The Sporting News. Thanks in advance for updating your Ryan info.

[apswann]

I'm a Fisk specialist. Scott Garner told me about this thread, so I figured I would help you with the Fisk entry on your list.

I have dozens of professional photos that pre-date the 1972 Topps card/1972 Red Sox post card including childhood photos, high school, etc.

Fisk's first "professional" team was the Class A, 1968 Waterloo Hawks. Fisk was pictured in the newspaper articles of that time during the season, however I think that this team photo would be the earliest professional Fisk photo. Let me know what you think. This was originally pictured on roster inserts for the team during the first half of the season.

Fisk is in the top row -- Number 38!

Tony Swann
http://www.carltonfisk.com

45376

[bcbgcbrcb]

Great find, Tony, thank you so much for the input. I have now updated the Fisk entry on my listing.

[triwak]

I'd keep 'em, BUT separate them. Just give 'em their own category at the end of the list, that way people don't have to shuffle trough all of them if they don't want to. Maybe, put an asterix or something next to the broadcasters and sportswriters who were once players. I'm sure people would still have a little more interest in them..

Totally agree with the above. I've included the guys who actually played professionally in my HOF set, so the asterisk is a good idea. Those guys are:

Tim Murnane
Joe Garagiola
Bob Uecker
Jerry Coleman
Tony Kubek

A writer named Milton Richman also apparently had a brief minor league career, but I've never seen a card issue of him. Great work, Phil!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks for the input, guys. I will go ahead and move the Broadcasters and Sportswriters to a separate section at the end of the listing. Within that separate listing, I will notate with an asterisk, those individuals that Ken mentioned had Major League playing time.

[bcbgcbrcb]

The listing has now been updated to reflect a separate section for the Broadcasters & Sportswriters recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[h2oya311]

Phil -

I'm not sure if this has already been addressed, but I was searching around and found an 1870 The World Newspaper Woodcut of Candy Cummings graded by BVG. This would certainly pre-date the 1873 Baltimore Team Composite you have listed on this post.

Link to the website where I saw the Cummings card:

http://www.rustywilly.com/largecards/HOFBaseball/CummingsCandy.htm

Thanks again for all your contributions on this site helping all those (myself included) HOF "rookie" card collectors out there - - all of us chasing the impossible dream.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Derek:

Thanks for your input on Candy Cummings. I am very familiar with it as I was the one who originally owned it and had it graded by Beckett.

With this listing, I have tried to stay away from newspaper cut-outs other than the New York Clipper Woodcuts which are catalogued in the SCBC. Any other newspaper images that I have included were full-page images, primarily picturing team composites.

You are correct though that it represents the earliest Candy Cummings professional baseball collectible that I know of.

[h2oya311]

Phil -

Two more questions:

1) Why not include Cal Hubbard's 1934 U1 Diamond Matchbooks collectible of him as a football player?

2) I have seen one earlier card of Judy Johnson, a "Cabinet Photo" sold in an REA auction in 2004:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2004/249.html

I'm not sure if any of these should be updated on "the list" accordingly, but thought I would share them for consideration/comment.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks for the input, Derek.

Regarding Hubbard, I stayed away from football items and strictly focused on his baseball umpiring career. I have actually seen an original 1924 press photo of him in a football uniform but did not include it on my list.

I do recall seeing the Johnson photo before but forgot to include it so I am going to make the update right now.

[slidekellyslide]

I once owned a postcard of the Chillicothe Business College football team from 1920 with Hubbard on it. Hubbard is second from right in the middle row

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/chillicothe" target="_blank"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/nudan92/Vintage%20Baseball%20Memorabilia/chillicothe.jpg" border="0" alt="1920 Chillicothe Postcard -Cal Hubbard 2nd from Right Middle Row Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>

There is another photo of the CBC team with Hubbard on a website dedicated to famous Missourians.

http://shs.umsystem.edu/famousmissourians/athletes/briefbios/hubbardteam.html

[terjung]

Totally agree with the above. I've included the guys who actually played professionally in my HOF set, so the asterisk is a good idea. Those guys are:

Tim Murnane
Joe Garagiola
Bob Uecker
Jerry Coleman
Tony Kubek

A writer named Milton Richman also apparently had a brief minor league career, but I've never seen a card issue of him. Great work, Phil!

Don't forget Joe Nuxhall.
...editted to add, I was thinking he was inducted in Cooperstown, but it was only in the Reds HOF. Nevermind.

[andybecker]

Why not include Cal Hubbard's 1934 U1 Diamond Matchbooks collectible of him as a football player?


Hubbard is also in the 1932 Packers Walkers Cleaners.

neither pre-date Dan's very cool ex-postcard

[bcbgcbrcb]

Very cool postcard, Dan!

[Hankphenom]

Phil,
I think the Walter Johnson novelty cutlery postcard photo dates from the 1909 season, not 1907, when both the home and road caps were white. Unless it could be proven that one of the early cards (American Caramel, maybe?) pre-dated it, I would peg the earliest Johnson collectible as the 1908 Sporting Life premium. Is there a postcard of that, also?
Hank Thomas

[bcbgcbrcb]

Hank:

Thank you for your input regarding the earliest Walter Johnson baseball collectible. There has been a lot of speculation that the Novelty Cutlery postcards were issued during 1909 or possibly later as opposed to a 1907, 1908 or 1909 issue date. Kevin Struss, among others, has done extensive research on these and I believe that a stamp cancellation date earlier than 1910 has never been found.

I was not aware that Johnson appeared on the 1908 Washington W601 premium and have never seen one, but I will certainly defer to your knowledge of it. The only other possible 1908 issue for Johnson would be the Rose Company postcard, listed as a 1908-09 issue, not sure if a definitive year can be pinned down on that one.

At this point, I will replace the Novelty Cutlery postcard with the Washington W601. BTW no postcards were issued before or after the single release of 1906-07.

[Hankphenom]

Phil,
I actually owned the 1908 Sporting Life Washington team premium (W601) at one time, but sold it to a cousin some years ago. Curiously, the 1907 premium doesn't have Johnson but does picture Clyde Milan, who joined the team in mid-August, some three weeks AFTER Johnson had arrived from Idaho.
Hank

[bcbgcbrcb]

I know, Hank. I have seen the 1907 and looked for Johnson but he was missing.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just made a bunch of updates to the list. If anyone has anything that they would like to add, please post it here or e-mail me privately at: vguerrerobb@yahoo.com.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just made a few new updates to my list, Nellie Fox (c1945 Lancaster team photo), Walter O'Malley (1950 press photo) & Kenesaw Landis (1916 Hartford team cabinet).

Any updates from fellow collectors are always welcome by posting here or you can e-mail me privately at vguerrerobb@yahoo.com if you prefer.

Thanks!

[bcbgcbrcb]

I just updated the list with the two latest HOF'ers, Barry Larkin & Ron Santo.

[Bicem]

What about the Weiser Wonder Walter Johnson? Either the cabinet or postcard (although I have doubts the postcard was actually issued in 1907)?

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=86985

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=68306

[bcbgcbrcb]

Jeff:

Good question, I believe that the cabinet might be original to 1906 or 1907. If I remember correctly, Hank has commented in the past that the postcard was produced at a later date, not before 1908. Maybe Hank will pitch in again regarding the cabinet, for now I am going to make that update to Johnson's earliest image.

Thanks for the info!

[triwak]

As you probably know Phil, Tim McCarver just won the broadcaster's award.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Ken, I did read that but haven't been keeping up with the Broadcasters and Sportswriters as I used to. Does anyone have a recommendation for the earliest collectible picturing McCarver?

[bcbgcbrcb]

I just made a couple of updates to my list. Does anyone else have any qualified updates to consider?

[Hankphenom]

Jeff:

Good question, I believe that the cabinet might be original to 1906 or 1907. If I remember correctly, Hank has commented in the past that the postcard was produced at a later date, not before 1908. Maybe Hank will pitch in again regarding the cabinet, for now I am going to make that update to Johnson's earliest image.

Thanks for the info!

Phil,
The cabinet (WOW!) itself surely dates to 1907. It seems possible that this is the only original copy of this photo in existence, although there could have been more than one printed. I'm assuming that the several variations of the "Weiser Wonder" postcard that have surfaced were made from the original negative, although they could also have been made from this cabinet print, other prints, or copies thereof. This is quite possibly the earliest picture of Johnson in a uniform, although I did uncover a Weiser team picture, also from 1907, in a newspaper. (It's in my book) As a more general proposition, I don't consider original photos to be "collectibles" in the definitional sense, since only one person would ever have the opportunity to own them. Although the cabinet photo here presents similarly to some commercially produced cards, the fact is that it is a personal item, a one-of-a-kind. I have an original photo of Walter in elementary school, at maybe five years old. It could well be the earliest known item relating to him, but it's not a collectible in the commercial sense. The 1908 Sporting Life team premium is the earliest provable Johnson collectible that I know of. Incidentally, in that school photo I mentioned, the right sleeve of Walter's jacket is three or four inches from reaching his wrist--his long right arm already in evidence!

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...px?lotid=86985

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...px?lotid=68306

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thank you for the insight, Hank. The links under your post did not work for me, were they to the team photo?

[Hankphenom]

I copied them from a previous post in the thread, the last one on page 13. Hopefully, they still work. They were for Legendary auctions of the original cabinet of the photo (what a gorgeous item!) and the postcard. I don't know why my cut and paste didn't work.

[clamendo]

Phil -

The press photo aside. Would you consider adding the 1958 Sparky Anderson photo to your list as the first regular issue of HOFer Sparky Anderson? I have recieved many inquiries about it.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Carl:

If the LaPatrie and press photo were from the same year, I would definitely go with yours but since there is a two year gap, I would prefer to leave the list as is. Rest assured, your item is the earliest "catalogued" Sparky collectible even though it is not officially a catalogued set yet, I'm sure it will be in the near future.

[h2oya311]

Phil -

According to http://www.vintageball.com/PlayerPostcards.html there is a 1907 Canton Team PC w/ Rube Marquard (while w/ Central League).

Derek

[bcbgcbrcb]

Good pick-up, Derek, I missed that one but will add it to my list right now.

[bcbgcbrcb]

After much deliberation, I have decided to eliminate the generic individual press photos from my listing. The primary reason for my decision being that it is impossible to tell if each of these was actually produced in the same year that the photo was taken and, even if they were, there are an infinite number of other possible photos which could also exist in the same manner. Not sure yet what I am going to do with the press photos picturing teams but a good possibility of the same thing exists.

[novakjr]

Phil. I see that once you removed the press photos from the list, that Larry Macphail came all the way up to the TCMA pc in '73. Let's roll that one back to 1947, with True Comics #65. Although, I do have a "Paps" cartoon of Macphail from the 30's(can't remember what year exactly), it's ultimately just cut out from a newspaper.

[triwak]

Hey Phil. I just won this RPPC in the most recent Hake's, picturing Willie Wells, that purportedly dates to 1925. The auction listing said that it was the earliest image they had ever heard of. From the Richard Merkin collection. Item #1163, if you wanna look it up.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Nice pick-up, Dave, that's an interesting enough item to put on my list.

You are correct, Ken, nice pick-up on that one BTW the 1925 date is correct based on my research as well. I was in the bidding for a while but ended up focusing my limited resources elsewhere. I will make the update on my list.

[cardaholic]

I recently picked up a 1947 wire photo of Robin Roberts and a college teammate (Martin Hansen) - both are pictured in their MI St. uniforms pointing on a map to the minor league cities they had been assigned to, and the accompanying text reflects their signings by the Phillies (Roberts for $25K and Hansen for $12K) and minor league assignments (Roberts to Wilmington of the Eastern League and Hansen to Terre Haute of the Three-I League).
The back has a date stamp of Dec. 10, 1947.
As a non-team press photo, it's probably outside the list, but IMO it's probably his first collectible identifying his as being in professional baseball.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Nick:

I used to own that one. It doesn't really qualify based on the parameters that I used but definitely one of the very earliest Roberts baseball images.

[bcbgcbrcb]

It's been quite a while since we had any input on this thread. I was checking out the latest auction for Hake's Americana today and came across a pin-back which would match the earliest baseball collectible for Denny Matthews, Frick Award Winner from the KC Royals and a HOF inductee from 2007. Here is a link to the item in case anyone is interested:

https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/223003/KANSAS-CITY-ROYALS-2007-DENNY-MATTHEWS-BUTTON

[LincolnVT]

I'd love to see this same list but using the first image of each in their first professional / major league uniform.