1923 Lections
 

Hi all,

I recently picked up this 1923 Lections card. I also have a Shawkey that I got from a B&L auction a while back. This got me to really looking at the Lections, and I thought that I haven't seen a good discussion on this series in the near two years I have been on the board, and that maybe we could have a current discussion about them. From the best I can understand, one school of thought is that these cards were handed out at the Albany, N.Y. fair by politicians. Parents would get a card discussing the candidates platform, and kids would get these cards. Looking at the Pop reports, I see the set has 9 cards; Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Frank Chance, Emil Meusel, Howard Ehmke, Charles Schmidt, Frank Frisch, Bob Shawkey, and Bob Meusel. So, what I am wondering, does it make sense that this series was printed in a 9 cards set, or do you think there may be another/others that have not surfaced yet; and are there any more current speculations as to how these cards were distributed? I seem to remember reading here about Jon Canfield having come into a group of these that the guy he got them from confirmed that he got them from the Albany fair, but that was a long time ago. Has anything new come to light lately? I am pretty new to the hobby, so I am no expert, but I really like these cards, and would like to know more. (I haven't received this card yet, so I am using the image from the auction)

Also, Please Show Your Cards!

That one is in beautiful condition For a lection! I know nothing about them and I have never really cared for them...good luck in your quest!!

missing Charles Jamieson
 

There is one more card, Charles Jamieson of the Cleveland Indians

http://www.oldcardboard.com/o/lections/05.jpg

Pete, the purchase was more that the card was so nice at what I felt was a real good price than anything else. I am definitely not on a quest, I doubt there are many of these I can afford, and definitely can't afford the Ruth. I really just find it odd to think these were printed in sheets of nine players, unless each player was printed on it's own sheet. It seems to me that from a practicality view, they would be printed in an even number of subjects, not an odd number. If that is the case, there would be at least one more player to find. I am hoping to find out what others may think. It is nice to own the highest graded of something, though, that is unique for me. I usually can only get lower condition stuff! :)

Jason, thanks, that is not in the pop reports. I know a lot of these obscure issues don't get graded, they don't really need to be!

And here's Shawkey, Anyone else care to Post?

Any discussion on the red and green lettering? Was red for the AL players and green for the NL players?

David

No, I believe each player had cards in red and green tint. (At least I know this was true for Ruth.)

I've owned a few over the last 12 years. Too rich for my blood though. Never did own a Ruth, so that's what kind of make me give up on them awhile back. I personally really like them though. I know I'm in the minority on that, but they are one of the few '20s cards that I actually like.

Jimi

Here's my worn out Hornsby.

a few from the previous collection...

http://luckeycards.com/phunclectionsx2.jpg

Here's some...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...d/Lections.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...uthLection.jpg

Thanks Leon and Jon, that is eight of the ten shown (or at least linked to the image).. Still looking for Chance and the other Meusel (Bob, who is really Emil, but the pictures are switched). Jon, did I get that right about you in my first post? Were you the one that got some of these cards from a guy that got them as a kid at the Albany fair? And Leon, thanks for posting that, which brings up another question, why do these not have the copyright symbol like that Judge's card you posted, Leon? Anyone know? Was the Judge's card the same exact size as these, like they were printed by the same company? Anyway, some things we just may never know. Anyone got the Chance or the other Meusel? I know Bob Meusel had a card sell in the same PWCC auction I got the Emil from. I couldn't get both (and Pete, I really only wanted the one, though I wouldn't mind finding the Ruth).

Well Pete, I guess you were right, I did end up on a quest. Here is an update on where I am at on these cards. Oh yeah, and the link to my most recent pick-up (since some guys started another thread discussing this)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Original-Complete-Set-1923-Baseball-Lections-Cards-incl-Ruth-amp-Hornsby-/332376284392?hash=item4d632b9ce8%3Ag%3A6%7E0AAOSw8 81Ztr2k&nma=true&si=6VR9LUIfW64neSkcf6JudKvixj0%25 3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I wasn't going to say anything until they came, but here you go anyway. And Derek, don't worry, I'm not breaking them up, just working on my second set... :D

congrats! the new lection king!!

After being outed I hope you still receive them.

Yeah, me too.

I think you will get them and congrats!!

Sorry I cost you quite a few bucks! Congrats on the pick-up! In a way, I'm happy I didn't win as I certainly don't need a new project...so thank you for that! But it's an incredible lot and I'm only mildly jealous...congrats again!

But Derek, the project was complete immediately, well, there are a few holes in it....

Leon (hi Leon), I'm not too worried about it coming, not anymore than anything else. After all, there were about 20 different bidders, it wasn't exactly a secret. Unlike the ...never mind. :D

Haha! Very funny! Yes, there were certainly a few "holes" in the set. Are you going for any color variations for this set? That would be quite impressive...

No, I don't know what/if I'll go for anything else in the set. I really wanted the Babe, this is my first one, and, well, I did always tell my self my first Ruth would be unique in some way.

I have the green Ruth, purchased in 2007 (sorry, no scanner), in technically poor condition, but with significantly better eye appeal.

Best wishes,

Larry

Even with "the few holes in the set," a complete set would remain an immensely difficult project, IMHO.

Happy collecting,

Larry

They are definitely interesting and unique. Thought about the Ruth one a few times but have not pulled the trigger. Firstly, they are not great looking cards. Particularly when punched with holes. Not much to look at. Secondly, these were given out at a state fair and not really cards that were collected. I know there is a fine line, but is everything anyone gave out anywhere for a few days really a worthwhile and important collectible? If someone discovers that Joe's Pizza in Hoboken New Jersey gave out a Ruth card for a weekend in 1925 during a block party, is this really a collectible baseball card? I know reasonable minds will differ and there is no right answer in what is worthwhile collecting. To me the joy of collecting Goudeys or Cracker Jacks is the idea you are collecting what people collected many years ago.

Lections
 

Always thought these were an interesting set mostly due to the story behind them. They seem to come up 2,3 times a year on ebay and even less on the A H sites which piques my interest even more. Was able to acquire a F Frisch about 4 years ago and would really like a presentable Ruth but even the lesser conditioned ones are out of my league. Congrats to the winner of the recent ebay set, great pick up !

Can you post a pic of the Joe's Pizza Ruth? :D

I want to see it too!! Here is a baseball card from my last collection that was also collected... I believe it is a 1 card set.

http://luckeycards.com/phunc1916cyyoungdtreasurer.jpg

Joe Pizza Ruth card for my eyes only. Sorry fellas.

Is this a baseball card?

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4381/...cf0bc6e57e.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/...327d74e5f6.jpg