Anyone here collect 1887 Old Judge baseball cards?

[Zone91]

I want to buy a few (1-2 to start) but the internet says there are 3500 cards in the set that is just crazy....how does one know what he is buying and how do you determine rarity??? Or do people just buy random cards mostly?

Do people mostly buy PSA or SGC for this set or are they both accepted?

[seablaster]

You'll find a lot of N54 members collect OJs, but they are not discussed as frequently at T206s.

The set is close to, if not entirely impossible to complete due to the absolute rarity of some of the cards.

People collect certain teams, players, etc., whatever they find to be important to them.

With OJs in particular, most collectors tend to not focus on the numerical grade. The key features of the cards are the clarity and contrast of the images.

Try to become versed in them before purchasing a few. It will give you more of an appreciation for the complexities of the set.

Most of us would also suggest obtaining a copy of the Old Judge book by Gonsowski, Masson, and Miller. It's a great book and definitely worth the cost.

[mrvster]

+1 i love ojs, but t206 more:)

[slidekellyslide]

A complete set would be impossible because many of the cards are so scarce and in collections that will never be liquidated that a few collectors try for a player set which I believe is in the 500+ card range...which is also really impossible for the same reason above. There are lots of collectors who collect by team or try to get every pose for a certain player.

As far as grading goes, most N172 collectors that I know don't worry about who graded it because both PSA and SGC don't seem to take the actual photo on the card into account when grading it, and faded cards can have much higher grades than cards that might grade a 1 or 2 which have excellent clarity. IOW grading doesn't seem to matter to most Old Judge collectors.

edited to add: Seablaster beat me to everything I said in this post. :)

[jcmtiger]

If you find one you like buy it. They don't come up for sale that often, especially the Detroit Players I need.:)

I was hoping this post was about someone looking to sell.

Joe

[smtjoy]

Buy the book listed above first, its the best reference for OJ's!

[Zone91]

Thanks a lot guys does anyone have a link to the book mentioned above?

[smtjoy]

Here is a link, pass over the one for 199.99 as another is listed for 79.99.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0029PAOLE/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

I see one on ebay but its by a low feedback seller so buyer beware.

[slidekellyslide]

There are currently three available with BIN on ebay...but you might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. I could not find one on Amazon.

[honus94566]

Definitely, definitely get the book. It is WELL worth it, and at $70 or so you will probably pay less for that book than most any single OJ card that's out there.

[slidekellyslide]

Definitely, definitely get the book. It is WELL worth it, and at $70 or so you will probably pay less for that book than most any single OJ card that's out there.

Plus you can enjoy 99.1% of the set. ;)

[Zone91]

Thanks I appreciate all the help!!!:)

[Zone91]

Just purchased the book mentioned above from Beverly Hills the seller has 100% positive feedback:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121027156757?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

[JeremyW]

Smart buy. Even if you end up not collecting the OJ cards, you still have a great book & reference tool.

[Matthew H]

The book is great. Now you'll get to see all the great cards that never come up for sale. :)

I do the opposite of what most OJ collectors do. I don't care who or what the player/team is. If I see a card with a nice photo and I can afford it at the moment, I'll buy it. It's been a great way to collect the set for me. All of my cards have uniform photo quality. I'm afraid that if I start collecting a specific team, I'll start settling for lesser quality just to get a card I need.

It depends on what kind of collector you are. If you feel like you need to complete something, don't collect my way. I'll never complete anything, but over the last four years I've put together a nice looking group of cards without spending that much.

[jcmtiger]

The book is great. Now you'll get to see all the great cards that never come up for sale. :)

I do the opposite of what most OJ collectors do. I don't care who or what the player/team is. If I see a card with a nice photo and I can afford it at the moment, I'll buy it. It's been a great way to collect the set for me. All of my cards have uniform photo quality. I'm afraid that if I start collecting a specific team, I'll start settling for lesser quality just to get a card I need.

It depends on what kind of collector you are. If you feel like you need to complete something, don't collect my way. I'll never complete anything, but over the last four years I've put together a nice looking group of cards without spending that much.



Yes, I collect Detroit cards and need 2 cards to complete the 1887 Team set. I am considering another subset, any suggestions.

Joe

[Matthew H]

Yes, I collect Detroit cards and need 2 cards to complete the 1887 Team set. I am considering another subset, any suggestions.

Joe

That's a great accomplishment Joe. I've never looked into a subset because I love them all, and I don't feel the need to complete anything. I do like Des Moines team though.

[jcmtiger]

That's a great accomplishment Joe. I've never looked into a subset because I love them all, and I don't feel the need to complete anything. I do like Des Moines team though.

I do have an idea, collect OJ cards of players that played for Detroit, but don't have a card for Detroit, but have cards for other teams. I will look into Des Moines though.

Joe

[Joe_G.]

I'm one of several who collect only Detroit but enjoy studying the whole set. Collecting by team can be very rewarding. You can start going after a single example of every player and then extend that to all the poses if you're up for the challenge that may very well last a lifetime. Some teams and subsets are easy than others. As an example, the 1887 Detroit cards are easiest, 1888 are most difficult, and 1889 somewhere in-between.

Des Moines would be a tough team set, particularly the players who only have 1888 cards. There are other subsets to consider including Browns Champs, HOFers, particular year or type such as Script or numbered, pose types (2-player, sliding, portraits, horizontals), one from each team in particular League/Association, and the ever popular team subset. The set is loaded with so much history. Hope you enjoy the book when it arrives, it will give you a good idea of what the set has to offer.

One potential subset was just discussed over the past weekend but is probably a couple pages buried by now. It was a discussion on 1889 International Association cards. You might want to check that out as well.

Joe M., keep your focus, the last two cards will surface. If you want to know the players on the 1887 Championship team who weren't introduced to the set until a later year with another team, they are as follows:

Ed Beatin
Charlie Bennett
Fred Dunlap
Henry Gruber
Jimmy Manning
Bill Shindle
Sy Sutcliffe (only played in World Championship)

Between them, they have 38 poses for which I still need a handful. This subset is actually larger than the 1887 Detroit run of 28 cards.

[jcmtiger]

I'm one of several who collect only Detroit but enjoy studying the whole set. Collecting by team can be very rewarding. You can start going after a single example of every player and then extend that to all the poses if you're up for the challenge that may very well last a lifetime. Some teams and subsets are easy than others. As an example, the 1887 Detroit cards are easiest, 1888 are most difficult, and 1889 somewhere in-between.

Des Moines would be a tough team set, particularly the players who only have 1888 cards. There are other subsets to consider including Browns Champs, HOFers, particular year or type such as Script or numbered, pose types (2-player, sliding, portraits, horizontals), one from each team in particular League/Association, and the ever popular team subset. The set is loaded with so much history. Hope you enjoy the book when it arrives, it will give you a good idea of what the set has to offer.

One potential subset was just discussed over the past weekend but is probably a couple pages buried by now. It was a discussion on 1889 International Association cards. You might want to check that out as well.

Joe M., keep your focus, the last two cards will surface. If you want to know the players on the 1887 Championship team who weren't introduced to the set until a later year with another team, they are as follows:

Ed Beatin
Charlie Bennett
Fred Dunlap
Henry Gruber
Jimmy Manning
Bill Shindle
Sy Sutcliffe (only played in World Championship)

Between them, they have 38 poses for which I still need a handful. This subset is actually larger than the 1887 Detroit run of 28 cards.

Hi Joe, yes I have those players on my list. Of course I got them from you in previous correspondence. 38 poses is a lot, maybe I will pick up 1 of each.

And the International Association cards are still on my list too. Have 2 right now , Campau and Goodfellow.

joe

[slidekellyslide]

I was collecting the Omaha team for a few years. There are some near impossibles in that subset though and I gave up.

[Zone91]

How do you know for what team the player plays for there is no information on the cards?

[RCMcKenzie]

I have always tried to buy the cards I liked. I have 2 -4 cards of some players, but mostly I buy what I can when I can. Mostly when I see a card I really want, I lose the auction by a mile, but sometimes I win a few.

Follow the cards for a few months at auction and when you see a card that you like that has not shown up before, then try to buy it. Some cards like California Brown are as easy as a T206 superprint, others almost never surface. Another great reference book for the n172 and similar sets is Lew Lipset's The Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards which you can find in paperback on ebay etc. Good Luck...
92734

[Zone91]

RCMcKenzie's:

Nice cards!!! I will take my time for sure.

[E93]

N172s are addictive. I started with just a few examples and now have nearly 150 different....and I feel like a beginner compared with many board members here. There are lots of ways to do it and many subsets. Browns Champions are a cool subset. I mostly just collect the ones I like.
JimB

http://photos.imageevent.com/jimblumenthal/n172/websize/N172%20Charles%20Comiskey.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/jimblumenthal/n172ssupersharp/websize/N172%20Hatfield%20SGC%2040.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/jimblumenthal/n172ssupersharp/websize/N172%20Broughton.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/jimblumenthal/n172ssupersharp/websize/N172%20Collins.jpg

[triwak]

I never get tired of seeing that Comiskey of yours, Jim!! Fantastic card!

[oldjudge]

Good luck with your Old Judge collecting. As others have said, get the Old Judge book (and read it) before you start buying cards. It will help you determine a path to follow and increase your enjoyment along the way.

Jay

[wonkaticket]

Amazing cards love em. Jay you collect these when did this happen? :)

[RCMcKenzie]

12 - 15 years ago there was an Old Judge HHH (Hand Held High) Connie Mack on ebay at no reserve. I placed a bid at $750 with 15 minutes to go and won the card. Two weeks later I had to pay a water bill and sold the card for $780.

I was fortunate to find a replacement a few months ago

92756 in the 900's.

[Zone91]

How are cards graded authentic perceived by the community collecting this series? I know for example a 1933 Goudey or 52 Topps would be looked down on...but is it different for for such old cards as these?

I do not mean any disrespect just trying to learn.

[Matthew H]

How are cards graded authentic perceived by the community collecting this series? I know for example a 1933 Goudey or 52 Topps would be looked down on...but is it different for for such old cards as these?

I do not mean any disrespect just trying to learn.

As long as the Old Judge ad isn't cut off the top or bottom, the Auth designation doesn't bother me, I take them out of the slabs anyway. There are more OJs incorrectly graded Auth then any other issue IMO. Also, look out for altered cards with numerical grades. Good luck, as Jim B said, OJs are addictive.

Great cards btw Jim!

[Zone91]

After doing recherche all day I cam upon a great pitcher who still holds the record for all time lowest ERA (under 1)....Tim Keefe:

Link:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/200894525290?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Ebay Item number: 200894525290


Next one I buy I will wait for my book and read a LOT before making another move.

[cyseymour]

After doing recherche all day I cam upon a great pitcher who still holds the record for all time lowest ERA (under 1)....Tim Keefe:

Link:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/200894525290?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Ebay Item number: 200894525290


Next one I buy I will wait for my book and read a LOT before making another move.

Congrats, that is a nice OJ. I almost bid on it when it was on auction a few months ago. I like that pose and it's got a pretty good image. Keefe may have been the best of 19th cent. pitchers. Keefe or Pud Galvin, it is subject to debate. But it is a nice card and not a bad start to OJ collecting.

[RCMcKenzie]

92827


This N173 Keefe arrived today. It is in an Aut holder for the corner cut. I usually buy low grade cards because I like the bargain prices.

[Zone91]

Thanks guys for the motivation and kind words!!!

Very nice Keefe card you have there!!!