To be a card collector in 1952!

[hawaiian bam bam]

Found this old photo on the internet of what it looked like in 1952.(i think the picture was at a woolworths store) And yes, those are all unopened boxes of 1952 Topps! How cool would it have been to be a baseball card collector back then?

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy204/HawaiianBamBam/1952.jpg

[almostdone]

I've seen that photo before. I always liked the creepy mannequin hand rising out of the pile grabbing a pack. Maybe they were trying to scare kids into purchasing cards. Would have been cool. If only, if only.
Drew

[hcv123]

be pretty cool to see someone "recreate" that today. I remember a similar seen of 1975 cards at my local 5&10. Grandma used to buy a bunch of rack packs for me every week!

[mickeymantle24]

I would love to go back in time with a hundred bucks.

[judgejules1]

Love this pic!

[Volod]

Funny, but the only thing I remember about those old Woolworth stores was the pressurized tube messaging system they used. Each point of sale on the ground floor had an opening for a small container into which the clerk would insert bills or receipts and send them flying through the tubes overhead to an office upstairs. Impressive stuff to a seven-year-old. That photo is likely from the NY City area - Don't think the store in my old hometown even stocked the '52 cards.

[NateMack]

The Woolworth store is in the Bronx, he is a pic of it back in the day.

179693

[Vintagevault13]

As a 1952 Topps collector, that picture is incredible. Every time I see it the possibilities begin racing through my mind. Oh, to have a time machine!

[turtleguy64]

this photo appeared in a PSA monthly mag about 2 yrs. ago in discussing the 1952 card set.

[SAllen2556]

This one's always made me want to jump back in time too! The rubber-banded 52's. Cards pasted in a scrap book! Ahh!

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz32/sallen2556/DetroitNews_zpsed686ba4.jpg

[111gecko]

Wow, I have never seen the Detroit magazine before. Thanks for posting. Of course, if anyone happens to have this magazine...I would love to buy it. I am sure I am one of hundreds that would...

[KCRfan1]

Looks like a 1954 Ted Williams in the lower right corner.

[almostdone]

Looks like a 1954 Ted Williams in the lower right corner.

It is. There is also another one right in front of the boys foot. Also a 51 Bowman Spahn. I wonder what's in the rubber banded stacks that you can't see.
Drew

[gnpaden]

what a cool picture of the Detriot News magazine. Just shows the drastic difference in kids these days versus then in regards to cards and collecting. My friends always thought I was weird because I did not open my Starting Lineups and put them on the shelf...

[toppcat]

Seen that photo of Woolworth's many times before but I have to say this is the first time I realized the Dodgers and Yankees pennants are likely the same ones from the premium offer on the wrapper.

[hcv123]

Let's see who can identify all visible cards on the Detroit news cover!

[SAllen2556]

About the best I could do on photobucket:
http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz32/sallen2556/DetroitNews_zps96023bb1.jpg

[1963Topps Set]

I can't identify the card the child is holding. I suspect it is a Tiger. Three of the four cards in the scrapbook are Tigers, 230 Matt Batts, 234 Steve Souchock and 28 Jerry Priddy. Card 66 Preacher Roe is on top of the rubber banded stack. I also see 219 Bobby Shantz, 2 James Runnells and 123 Ed Yost on the floor.

[judsonhamlin]

I believe it's Art Houtemann in his hand

[almostdone]

What sets are represented in the photo? I see a bunch of 52 Topps and some 54 Topps but can't find any 53 Topps. I also see 51 and 52 Bowman cards and I think 1 53 Bowman B&W Stengel card but no other 53 Bowmans at all. A few non baseball cards of which I have no knowledge of. Any others mixed in I'm missing?
Drew

[1963Topps Set]

Yes! It is Art Houtteman 238 in his hands. It makes sense the Tigers are featured so promemtly since it is a Detroit publication. Now, what is the fourth card in the scrapbook, the card closest to his hand?

There is one football card I see. Two 1954 Ted Williams card 1. Another non sport card I can't make out.

[1963Topps Set]

Also in the Woolworths photo, are those uncut sheets of 1952 Topps hanging?

[toppcat]

Also in the Woolworths photo, are those uncut sheets of 1952 Topps hanging?

Yes, partial sheets.