19th c. cards at the Kentucky State Fair

[square5000]

Hey everyone,

I always look forward to the Sports and Entertainment antiques competition at our Kentucky State Fair, in the hopes of seeing rare baseball memorabilia. This year did not disappoint:

<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7853214516_edd6cab411_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Louisville card antique display">

I couldn't believe it. A N173 Pete Browning, a Hall cabinet of the 1888 Louisville team and a cabinet of a Louisville/California team (maybe a railroad team?). Plus, there was another N173 of Fuller, shortstop for St. Louis.

What was weird was the Louisville group didn't even win 1st prize; the Fuller, St. Louis N173 won. A card for a player on a Missouri team wins a competition in the Kentucky State Fair?? :confused:

Anyway, I thought I'd share. The cards were behind glass, so I took the best photos I could. You can find more photos, including close-ups, here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjBDqd8o

Enjoy!
Peter

[Matthew H]

Cool! Thanks for sharing! Why did the trimmed fuller cabinet win? :confused: rigged!!!

[barrysloate]

Each of those three cabinets is quite special. I would give it first prize!

[Old Hoss]

I have seen a display or two like that online, with a Hall cabinet and N173, that gave me pause as to their authenticity. I'm not saying that the display you saw was not authentic, but that I would want to see everything unframed before making a final determination.

Also, the third photograph is of a touring team put together by Jim Hart: http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2004/304.html

Thanks for posting this information. Is there 19th-century baseball material there every year?

Charles

[square5000]

I had some doubts of their authenticity too, and maybe that's why they didn't win. However, they're some really good fakes.

There aren't OJs every year. I've seen old World Series programs and some Pee Wee Reese signed material. This is the first time I've seen so many 19th c. items. Also, it's a huge risk to enter antiques. I've thought about entering some cards, but the entry form said the State Fair is not liable for lost or stolen items, and if the items aren't picked up the day after the fair ends, items will be disposed of. Yikes! No thanks.

Peter

[Pup6913]

and they are just thrown in a ziploc. Idiots or they are fakes. Who would do something like that?????

[ElCabron]

Fake. The Louisville-California one was reproduced from the one in REA.

-Ryan

[barrysloate]

I guess I missed the fact that they were fake. I'm retracting my blue ribbon.