F. R. Woods All-Star Photos Questions
 

Anyone know anything about F.R. Woods All-Star photos? Specifically:

Did they always measure 4 1/4 x 7 (mine is, and 3 other sources list them as such, but one other source claims 4 1/2 x 7 1/4);

Were all players issued over multiple years, or are some specific to one year;

Over how many years were they issued (I've seen internet "evidence" to support 1969, 1970 and 1971);

Is there any way to identify what year my Killebrew comes from?

Thanks.

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...40/frwoods.jpg

Never seen these before-is there a checklist somewhere? That font looks like it could be unique to this issue?

I've never seen a checklist, but I think it's a unique issue. Here's everything I know about it:

It's by F. R. Woods, a memorabilia dealer who is "just a few doors down the street from the Hall of Fame, and is still in business today - selling unique baseball items from the past." They used to advertise in Baseball Digest when I was a kid (1960s).

The photos came in a set called "All-Star Picture Photo Pak set of 12 photos". One complete set offered at auction identified it as from 1969; individual photos offered on eBay over the years have identified the photos as from 1970 and/or 1971.

The photos are on delicate, textured linen-type stock, with blank backs.

I've verified 11 different photos so far: Banks, Bench, Killebrew, Mays, McCovey, Murcer, Powell, Robinson (Brooks), Seaver, Staub, Yaz.

Perhaps the checklist includes only 12 players, and the same photos were sent out every year for 3 years with the date changed only on the packaging? I'd be surprised, however, if an issue from either 1969 or 1970 would include Murcer as an All-Star, unless they just wanted a current NY player in the set, and he was the best available.

Since F. R. Woods appears to still be in business, maybe I'll call and see if anyone there recalls anything about this one.

I just bought the set on ebay. The twelfth player is Aaron (no surprise). The set presented a real dilemma to me. Much to my surprise, it was still sealed in the original envelope. I'm sure everyone on this board will want to shoot me for doing this, but I unsealed it as carefully as I could. It just seemed so pointless to me to not be able to see the pictures I purchased.

Nah, I'd probably do the same! So, does the envelope have a date? Are the cards 4 1/4 x 7? Thanks!

I double checked and my cards/pictures do measure 4.25 x 7. There is no copyright date on the envelope. However, Bobby Murcer is in the set and, according to baseballreference.com, his first All Star game was in 1971. And the envelope refers to this set as an "All Star Set." So, if they meant this literally, the set is no earlier than 1971.

Thanks for checking! 1971 seems to be the most logical date for this issue - any earlier, and the inclusion of Murcer doesn't make much sense; any later, and the inclusion of Banks doesn't make much sense.

I called the F. R. Woods shop in Cooperstown, and a lady working there said she was around when these were issued. Her recollection was that they were issued for one year only, and with just the 12 players we've documented. She thought they were mailed out in 1968 or 1969, but she wasn't at all confident of the date, so IMO 1971 still seems more likely.

Okay, for the 1 or 2 people who might be interested - an eBay seller says these are from 1971, because he bought a pack from an original owner who wrote the date "1971" on the outside of the pack when he received it. That's the last piece of evidence I need to feel certain these are from 1971 and only 1971.

In case this issue is ever deemed worthy of an entry in the Standard Catalog, or just for posterity, here's a final summary:

1971 F. R. Woods All-Star Photos

Issued by F. R. Woods House of Baseball in 1971. Twelve unnumbered, undated blank-back photos on linen stock, each measuring 4.25" by 7". Came as a set of 12 in packs labeled "All-Star Picture Photo Pak set of 12 photos". Individual values (on eBay) have ranged from $5 to $10 for cards in Excellent or better condition. The complete checklist is:

Aaron
Banks
Bench
Killebrew
Mays
McCovey
Murcer
Powell, Boog
Robinson, Brooks
Seaver
Staub
Yastrzemski

Last week I submitted my 1971 Bench for grading to PSA. I don't believe one has ever been graded before. However, this set is cateloged on the Beckett website so I believe they will grade it since it meets the size specifications for "Supersized" cards.