Feller rookie?

[robertsmithnocure]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I totally agree with this. The supplements are awesome, but they are not cards. Otherwise, newspaper pictures, or even this - from March 4, 1916, could be considered a rookie (assuming we do not include team PCs)

Everyone has their own definitions, but I also consider items like the M101-1 and M101-2 The Sporting News and W601 The Sporting Life issues as being supplements, but are much more "card-like" than a magazine or its cover. These were stand alone items that were obviously made to be collected individually on their own and were part of a set. They were even advertised that way within their publication. The backs of the M101-1s even have detailed biographies which are very much like cards. Heck, even Jefferson Burdick game them their own ACC number within the "M" Periodical Issues heading.

I like magazines and they make great collectibles, but these The Sporting New supplements were made to be collected and are much more card like IMHO. Yes, they are on thinner stock and somewhat oversized, but they are very similar to the some of the premiums put out in the day from the likes of Butterfinger, National Chicle, Goudey, etc.

For comparison, this 1905 W601 The Sporting Life Detroit composite sold for $8,400. The same image is available on the front cover of their weekly newspaper and would only sell for a small fraction of that.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Bob. Since you mentioned it, here is the list that I compiled all the way back around 2010 identifying the earliest professional baseball collectible for everyone in the BB HOF at that time:

1952 Hank Aaron (Indianapolis Clowns P/C)
1911 Grover Alexander (M101-2)
1987 Roberto Alomar (Wichita Minor League)
1937 Walter Alston (Rochester Team Premium)
1958 Sparky Anderson (LaPresse)
1868 Cap Anson (Marshalltown Team Photo) courtesy of Corey S. & Kevin S.
1953 Luis Aparicio (Venezuelan League)
1931 Luke Appling (4-on-1 Exhibits)
1948 Richie Ashburn (Philadelphia Bulletin/M114)
1926 Earl Averill (Zeenuts)

1908 Frank Baker (Reading Team P/C)
1909 Dave Bancroft (Superior RPPC)
1954 Ernie Banks (Topps/All-Star Photo Pack)
1955 Al Barlick (Bowman)
1896 Ed Barrow (Paterson Team Cabinet)
1887 Jake Beckley (Lincoln Team Cabinet) courtesy of Clint
1926 Cool Papa Bell (St. Louis Stars Team P/C)
1967 Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Team Issue)
1903 Chief Bender (E107/W600)

1946 Yogi Berra (Newark Team Photo)
1970 Bert Blyleven (Minnesota Team Issue)
1981 Wade Boggs (TCMA - Pawtucket)
1921 Jim Bottomley (Packers Team Photo)
1941 Lou Boudreau (Double Play)
1903 Roger Bresnahan (W600)
1971 George Brett (Billings Team Premium)
1962 Lou Brock (Topps)

1879 Dan Brouthers (NY Clipper Woodcut)
1901 Mordecai Brown (Terre-Haute Team Composite)
1935 Raymond Brown (Negro League Broadside)
1935 Willard Brown (KC Monarchs Team Photo)
1880's Morgan Bulkeley (Matthew Brady Cabinet)
1956 Jim Bunning (Mariano Team Photo)
1890 Jesse Burkett (Sporting Times - Giants Team Supplement)
1943 Roy Campanella (Mexican League Team P/C)

1965 Rod Carew (Orlando Team Photo Premium)
1908 Max Carey (Concordia Team Cabinet)
1965 Steve Carlton (Topps/St. Louis Team Issue)
1975 Gary Carter (Topps/TCMA IL All-Stars)
1840's Alexander Cartwright (Knickerbockers Team Dag Photo) courtesy of Barry S.
1955 Orlando Cepeda (Salem Team Photo)
1861 Henry Chadwick (St. George's Team Photo) courtesy of Barry S.

1898 Frank Chance (Chicago Team Photo Premium)
1949 Happy Chandler (Eureka)
1914 Oscar Charleston (US Military Team P/C)
1895 Jack Chesbro (Springfield Team Photo Supplement)
1955 Nestor Chylak (Bowman)
1898 Fred Clarke (Louisville Cabinet Card)
1885 John Clarkson (Harper's Weekly Chicago Team Photo Woodcut)
1952 Roberto Clemente (Santurce Team Composite)
1905 Ty Cobb (W601 - Detroit Team Composite Premium)
1924 Mickey Cochrane (Zeenuts)

1907 Eddie Collins (W600)
1893 Jimmy Collins (Buffalo Team Photo Cabinet)
1922 Earle Combs (Louisville Team Photo)
1879 Charles Comiskey (Dubuque Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1931 Jocko Conlan (LaPresse)
1950 Tom Connolly (Callahan HOF)
1879 Roger Connor (NY Clipper Woodcuts)
1923 Andy Cooper (Tomas Gutierrez/Nacionales)
1909 Stan Coveleski (Lancaster Team P/C)

1899 Sam Crawford (Chatham Team Cabinet) courtesy of Clint
1931 Joe Cronin (Washington Team Issue/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1873 Candy Cummings (Baltimore Team Composite) courtesy of Corey S.
1924 Kiki Cuyler (M114)
1944 Ray Dandridge (Mexican League Premium)
1890 George Davis (Ryder Studio Cabinet/Sporting Life Cleveland Team Woodcut)
1977 Andre Dawson (Topps/Montreal Team Issue Photo)
1935 Leon Day (Negro League Broadside)
1929 Dizzy Dean (San Antonio Team Composite Premium)
1889 Ed Delahanty (N172/MacIntire Studios Cabinet)

1931 Bill Dickey (W502/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1927 Martin Dihigo (Mallorquina)
1934 Joe DiMaggio (Zeenuts)
1946 Larry Doby (Newark Eagles X-Mas Card)
1937 Bobby Doerr (Goudey Wide-Pen Premiums)
1902 Barney Dreyfuss (Pittsburgh Gazette Supplement)
1955 Don Drysdale (Montreal Team Photo Premium)
1887 Hugh Duffy (Lowell Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1929 Leo Durocher (4-on-1 Exhibits)

1976 Dennis Eckersley (Topps/SSPC)
1910 Billy Evans (M101-2)
1903 Johnny Evers (W600)
1885 Buck Ewing (Harper's Weekly Woodcuts)
1914 Red Faber (Chicago Team P/C)
1936 Bob Feller (Boston American Stamps/Press Photo)
1931 Rick Ferrell (4-on-1 Exhibits)
1967 Rollie Fingers (Birmingham Team Photo)

1968 Carlton Fisk (Waterloo Team Photo) courtesy of Tony S.
1899 Elmer Flick (M101-1)
1951 Whitey Ford (Bowman/Berk Ross)
1909 Rube Foster (Leland Team P/C)
1927 Willie Foster (Mallorquina)
1945 Nellie Fox (Lancaster Team Photo)
1925 Jimmy Foxx (Exhibits P/C Backs)
1949 Ford Frick (Eureka)
1920 Frank Frisch (W519)

1879 Pud Galvin (Buffalo Team Photo Trade Card)
1922 Lou Gehrig (Hartford Team Photo)
1926 Charlie Gehringer (Exhibits)
1957 Bob Gibson (Columbus Team Photo Premium)
1928 Josh Gibson (Pittsburgh Crawfords Team Photo)
1956 Warren Giles (Topps)
1962 Pat Gillick (Elmira Team Photo) courtesy of Jodi B.
1929 Lefty Gomez (Zeenuts)
1938 Joe Gordon (Newark Team Photo)

1922 Goose Goslin (E120)
1972 Rich Gossage (Puerto Rican League Sticker)
1887 Frank Grant (Buffalo Team Cabinet)
1934 Hank Greenberg (Goudey/Batter-Up/Diamond Stars)
1889 Clark Griffith (N172)
1920 Burleigh Grimes (M114)
1921 Lefty Grove (Tip Top Bread/Baltimore Team Panorama)
1982 Tony Gwynn (TCMA - Hawaii)
1926 Chick Hafey (St. Louis Cardinals Team P/C)

1916 Jesse Haines (Springfield Team Panorama)
1889 Billy Hamilton (N172)
1879 Ned Hanlon (Albany Team Cabinet)
1956 William Harridge (Topps)
1921 Bucky Harris (Exhibits)
1922 Gabby Hartnett (E120/W573)
1984 Doug Harvey (Smokey the Bear Padres)
1913 Harry Heilmann (Zeenuts)

1977 Rickey Henderson (Chong - Modesto A's)
1929 Bill Herman (Louiville Team Photo)
1957 Whitey Herzog (Topps/Washington Team Issue)
1909 Pete Hill (Cabanas)
1907 Harry Hooper (St. Mary's P/C)
1915 Rogers Hornsby (Denison Team P/C)
1921 Waite Hoyt (American Caramel)
1955 Cal Hubbard (Bowman)

1926 Carl Hubbell (Toronto Team Panorama)
1904 Miller Huggins (W601)
1889 William Hulbert (Spalding Baseball Guide)
1965 Catfish Hunter (Topps/Athletics Team Issue Photo)
1948 Monte Irvin (El Indio)
1967 Reggie Jackson (Birmingham Team Photo)
1923 Travis Jackson (William Paterson/M114 NY Giants Team Premium)
1966 Fergie Jenkins (Topps/Chicago Team Issue)
1894 Hugh Jennings (Alpha Photo Engraving)

1903 Ban Johnson (Horner American League Composite)
1921 Judy Johnson (Original Cabinet Photo) courtesy of D. Granger
1907 Walter Johnson (Weisner Cabinet) courtesy of Jeff Prizner
1903 Addie Joss (E107/W600)
1954 Al Kaline (Topps/All-Star Photo Pack)
1879 Tim Keefe (New York Clipper Woodcut)
1892 Willie Keeler (Binghamton Team Cabinet)
1945 George Kell (Philadelphia Team Photo Pack)
1894 Joe Kelley (Alpha Photo Engraving)

1914 George Kelly (Spokane Team Photo P/C)
1879 King Kelly (1879 New York Clipper Woodcut)
1955 Harmon Killebrew (Topps/Topps Double Headers)
1941 Ralph Kiner (Albany Team Photo)
1925 Chuck Klein (Exhibit P/C Backs)
1910 Bill Klem (M101-2)
1955 Sandy Koufax (Topps/Golden Stamps)
1969 Bowie Kuhn (Topps Promo)

1897 Nap Lajoie (Leslie's Illustrated)
1916 Kenesaw Landis (Hartford Team Photo)
1986 Barry Larkin (Sportsflics Update)
1950 Tommy LaSorda (Big League Stars)
1922 Tony Lazzeri (Zeenuts)
1946 Bob Lemon (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1935 Buck Leonard (Negro League Broadside)
1924 Fred Lindstrom (M114 - Giants Team Photo Premium)
1910 Pop Lloyd (Punch)
1927 Ernie Lombardi (Oakland Team Photo)

1930 Al Lopez (Baguer Chocolates)
1924 Ted Lyons (Diaz Cigarettes)
1887 Connie Mack (N172)
1924 Biz Mackey (Aguilitas)
1947 Larry MacPhail (True Comics)
1981 Lee MacPhail (Perez Steele HOF P/C)
1996 Effa Manley (Negro League Playing Cards)
1948 Mickey Mantle (Independence Team Panorama)
1923 Heinie Manush (Tomas Gutierrez - Detroit Team Composite)
1912 Rabbit Maranville (Boston P/C)

1960 Juan Marichal (Tacoma Giants)
1907 Rube Marquard (Canton Team P/C)
1950 Ed Mathews (Atlanta Team Photo)
1901 Christy Mathewson (Police Gazette Supplements)
1951 Willie Mays (Bowman/M114)
1956 Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Team Photo Pack)
1909 Joe McCarthy (E254)
1887 Tommy McCarthy (N172)
1960 Willie McCovey (Topps/Jay Publishing)

1899 Joe McGinnity (M101-1)
1948 Bill McGowan (Umpire School P/C)
1894 John McGraw (Alpha Photo Engraving)
1906 Bill McKechnie (Washington Team P/C)
1885 Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Team Cabinet) courtesy of Gary P.
1933 Joe Medwick (Worch Cigars)
1910 Jose Mendez (Punch)
1933 Johnny Mize (Greensboro Team Photo)

1978 Paul Molitor (Topps)
1965 Joe Morgan (Topps/Houston Team Issue Photo)
1977 Eddie Murray (Baltimore Team Photo Pack)
1941 Stan Musial (Rochester Team Premium)
1939 Hal Newhouser (Salutation Exhibits)
1889 Kid Nichols (N172)

1964 Phil Niekro (Topps)
1966 Walter O'Malley (LA Dodgers Record Covers)
1871 Jim O'Rourke (Stratford Osceolas Team Photo) courtesy of Paul C.
1929 Mel Ott (Kashin/4-on-1 Exhibits)
1932 Satchell Paige (Pittsburgh Crawfords P/C)
1964 Jim Palmer (Aberdeen Team Photo Premium)
1921 Herb Pennock (E220)
1963 Tony Perez (San Diego Team Issue)
1961 Gaylord Perry (Tacoma Bank)

1902 Eddie Plank (W600)
1922 Alex Pompez (NY Cubans Team Photo)
1931 Cum Posey (Homestead Grays P/C)
1983 Kirby Puckett (Larry Fritsch - Visalia)
1879 Charles Radbourne (Dubuque Team Cabinet) courtesy of Jay M.
1939 Pee Wee Reese (Louisville Team Photo Premium)

1973 Jim Rice (Venezuelan League Sticker)
1917 Sam Rice (Boston Store/Collins McCarthy/Standard Biscuit/Weil Baking)
1906 Branch Rickey (W601 St. Louis P/C)
1980 Cal Ripken Jr. (Charlotte - Police)
1913 Eppa Rixey (T200 - Philadelphia)
1939 Phil Rizzuto (Kansas City Team Photo Premium)
1948 Robin Roberts (Philadelphia Bulletin)
1955 Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Team Issue)
1953 Frank Robinson (Butte Team Photo)
1946 Jackie Robinson (Parade Sportive)

1887 Wilbert Robinson (Kalamazoo Bats)
1916 Bullet Rogan (25th Infantry Panorama)
1909 Edd Roush (Oakland City Team Photo P/C)
1924 Red Ruffing (Diaz Cigarettes)
1889 Amos Rusie (N172)
1914 Babe Ruth (Baltimore News/Baltimore Orioles Team Photo/Providence Team Photo)
1968 Nolan Ryan (Topps)
1980 Ryne Sandberg (TCMA - Reading)
1961 Ron Santo (Topps/Manny's BB Land)

1911 Louis Santop (Lincoln Giants Team P/C)
1913 Ray Schalk (M101-2)
1971 Mike Schmidt (Reading Team Premium)
1945 Red Schoendienst (M114)
1967 Tom Seaver (Topps/Mets Team Issue P/C)
1887 Frank Selee (Oshkosh Team Cabinet)
1920 Joe Sewell (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1923 Al Simmons (Exhibits)

1916 George Sisler (M101-5/BF2 Ferguson Pennants)
1937 Enos Slaughter (Columbus Team Photo Premium)
1935 Hilton Smith (Bismarck Team Photo P/C)
1978 Ozzie Smith (Family Fun Center)
1946 Duke Snider (Fort Worth Team Photo)
1912 Billy Southworth (Portsmouth Team Photo)
1946 Warren Spahn (W602)
1867 Albert Spalding (Rockford CDV) courtesy of Gary P.
1908 Tris Speaker (Little Rock Team P/C)

1963 Willie Stargell (Topps/IDL Drugs)
1920 Turkey Stearnes (California League Photo)
1910 Casey Stengel (T210)
1976 Bruce Sutter (Chicago Tribune)
1926 Mule Suttles (St. Louis Stars Team Photo P/C)
1965 Don Sutton (Albuquerque Team Photo)
1916 Ben Taylor (Indianapolis Team Cabinet)
1923 Bill Terry (M114 - NY Giants Team Photo Premium)

1884 Sam Thompson (Evansville Photo) courtesy of Joe G.
1902 Joe Tinker (W600)
1923 Cristobal Torriente (Tomas Gutierrez/Billiken)
1922 Pie Traynor (E120)
1912 Dazzy Vance (Superior Team P/C) courtesy of Dan B.
1933 Arky Vaughan (Goudey/Worch Cigars)
1946 Bill Veeck (Cleveland Team Photo P/C)
1899 Rube Waddell (M101-1)
1895 Honus Wagner (Warren Team Imperial Cabinet)

1899 Bobby Wallace (M101-1)
1904 Ed Walsh (W600)
1925 Lloyd Waner (Zeenuts)
1923 Paul Waner (Zeenuts)
1879 John Ward (New York Clipper Woodcuts)
1950 Earl Weaver (Winston-Salem Team Issue)
1920 George Weiss (New Haven Team Cabinet)
1879 Mickey Welch (New York Clipper Woodcuts)
1925 Willie Wells (St. Louis Stars P/C)
1900's Zach Wheat (Original Cabinet Card)

1884 Sol White (Bellaire Globe Team Photo) courtesy of Kenny C.
1950 Hoyt Wilhelm (Fosforos)
1910 J.L. Wilkinson (Hopkins Team Photo P/C)
1961 Billy Williams (Topps/Topps Stamps)
1950 Dick Williams (Almendares Team Premium)
1914 Joe Williams (NY Lincoln Giants Team Photo)
1937 Ted Williams (San Diego Team Premium)
1899 Vic Willis (M101-1)
1922 Hack Wilson (Martinsburg Team Photo P/C)
1933 Jud Wilson (Philadelphia Stars P/C)

1973 Dave Winfield (Dean's Photo Service)
1863 George Wright (Photographic Studio CDV)
1859 Harry Wright (Knickerbockers/Excelsiors Teams Photo) courtesy of Barry S.
1943 Early Wynn (M114)
1960 Carl Yastrzemski (Topps/Minneapolis Team Photo Premium)
1959 Tom Yawkey (Fleer - Ted Williams)
1890 Cy Young (Ryder Studio Cabinet/Rogers Studio Cabinet)
1917 Ross Youngs (M114 - NY Giants Team Photo Premium/NY Giants Team P/C) courtesy of Matt
1974 Robin Yount (Big Boy's Team Photo Premium)


I would love to hear from you guys/gals who know of anything that pre-dates what I have listed. Scans would be really fantastic but a simple description of the item would be great also.

Please find below, a listing of the earliest collectibles of the Sportswriters & Broadcasters recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as Spink Award Winners & Frick Award Winners. Those individuals who played in the Major/Negro Leagues are identified with an *

1949 Mel Allen (NY Yankees Photo Pack)
1951 Red Barber (Dodgers Broadcasters P/C)
1993 Marty Brennaman (Kahn's)
1953 Jack Brickhouse (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
1922 Heywood Broun (Original Photo)
1989 Jack Buck (Pro Set)
1940's Buck Canel (Press Photo)
1949 Harry Caray (Sunday Morning Baseball League Broadside)
1942 John Carmichael (Who's Who in Baseball Photo)
1973 Herb Carneal (Minnesota Twins Yearbook Photo)

1949 Jerry *Coleman (NY Yankees Photo Pack)
1952 Jimmy Dudley (Broadcasters P/C)
1938 Bob Elson (Baseball Dope Book Photo)
2006 Gene Elston (Frick Award Winner Photo)
1988 Hugh Fullerton (Eight Men Out)
1993 Peter Gammons (ESPN Press Photo)
1946 Joe *Garagiola (M114 - St. Louis Team Photo Premium)
1950's Curt Gowdy (Broadcasters P/C)
1970 Milo Hamilton (Atlanta Team Issue Photo)
1953 Ernie Harwell (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)

1953 Russ Hodges (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
2009 Jerome Holtzman (Jewish Baseball Update)
1998 Jaime Jarrin (LA Dodgers Team Issue Photo)
1984 Harry Kalas (Tastykake Phillies)
1952 John Kieran (Press Photo)
1957 Tony *Kubek (Topps/Yankees Team Photo Pack)
1925 Ring Lardner (Biography Photo)
2007 Denny Matthews (KC Royals Team Issue Photo)
1953 Arch McDonald (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
2004 Jon Miller (Fleer Announcing Greats)

1879 Tim *Murnane (New York Clipper Woodcut)
1988 Bob Murphy (Rini P/C)
1959 Lindsey Nelson (Phillies Cigars)
1995 Dave Niehaus (Seattle Team Issue)
1941 Buck *O'Neil (KC Monarchs Team Photo Broadside)
1953 Bob Prince (Bob Feller's Baseball Broadcasters)
1951 Felo Ramirez (Press Photo)
1990 Joe Riechler (Little Sun)
1952 Grantland Rice (NFL Poster)
1915 Damon Runyon (Pittsburgh Post - Green Sheet)

1959 By Saam (Phillies Cigars)
1951 Vin Scully (Dodgers Broadcaster's P/C)
1999 Lon Simmons (Keebler)
1985 W. Red Smith (Life Magazine)
1952 J.G. Taylor Spink (Press Photo)
2004 Chuck Thompson (Baltimore Lottery)
1962 Bob *Uecker (Topps)
1957 Bob Wolff (Press Photo)
1990 Dick Young (Little Sun)

Surely, some recently identified additions should be added but this was pretty comprehensive at the time.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Since this thread originally started out as identifying Bob Feller's rookie card(s), I am going to start a new thread to further discuss the topic of Rookie cards, primarily focusing on pre-war.

[ValKehl]

Phil, for Sam Rice, I believe your above list should also include his 1917 D328 Weil Baking card.

[BobC]

Phil,

Great list. By any chance, did you also do a similar version that only included first MLB appearances, and not also include minor league appearances? I'm guessing that would be useful to some collectors as well who specifically focus on just major league items. Still, outstanding list.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by robertsmithnocure

Everyone has their own definitions, but I also consider items like the M101-1 and M101-2 The Sporting News and W601 The Sporting Life issues as being supplements, but are much more "card-like" than a magazine or its cover. These were stand alone items that were obviously made to be collected individually on their own and were part of a set. They were even advertised that way within their publication. The backs of the M101-1s even have detailed biographies which are very much like cards. Heck, even Jefferson Burdick game them their own ACC number within the "M" Periodical Issues heading.

I like magazines and they make great collectibles, but these The Sporting New supplements were made to be collected and are much more card like IMHO. Yes, they are on thinner stock and somewhat oversized, but they are very similar to the some of the premiums put out in the day from the likes of Butterfinger, National Chicle, Goudey, etc.

For comparison, this 1905 W601 The Sporting Life Detroit composite sold for $8,400. The same image is available on the front cover of their weekly newspaper and would only sell for a small fraction of that.

I agree. I was being a little dramatic. In the range of collectibles that could be considered someone’s rookie “card”, I agree that a supplement is closer to a card/rookie piece than a magazine or newspaper picture/piece.

Let me be clear- I think those early sporting life supplements are totally awesome. And I think a reasonable argument could be made that, at least with Wagner, it could be a rookie “card”. I just don’t think it is. I don’t think they are cards. I don’t think the composites are either. They are more like a collectible picture or poster or something. I think one could argue that cabinets and post cards are not “cards” also, although I think they are. But that’s just my opinion, and you know opinions are like assholes…

Collect what you like, that’s really all that matters.

[robertsmithnocure]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I agree. I was being a little dramatic. In the range of collectibles that could be considered someone’s rookie “card”, I agree that a supplement is closer to a card/rookie piece than a magazine or newspaper picture/piece.

Let me be clear- I think those early sporting life supplements are totally awesome. And I think a reasonable argument could be made that, at least with Wagner, it could be a rookie “card”. I just don’t think it is. I don’t think they are cards. I don’t think the composites are either. They are more like a collectible picture or poster or something. I think one could argue that cabinets and post cards are not “cards” also, although I think they are. But that’s just my opinion, and you know opinions are like assholes…

Collect what you like, that’s really all that matters.

I totally agree. Collect what you like. I am torn on whether supplements are "cards" are not, but I have always felt that cabinets, postcards and Exhbits are cards. I totally respect why others would disagree.

The 1899 Wagner is an interesting item to examine. Personally, I like the The Sporting News variety that has the August 19, 1899 date on the front of it and was issued as an actual supplement with the newspaper on that day. I am not as familiar with the National Copper Plate issue, but judging by the one that has been on ebay which has two binding holes on the left edge, and no advertising, I assume that it was issued in some sort of portfolio. It is still very cool, but not as "card-like" to me since it was not issued on its own.

We collectors are definitely quirky which makes the hobby so unique.

[h2oya311]

Since there will NEVER be consensus on what is considered a “rookie” or a “card”, I took out the guess work and think it can be any number of items (although the 1933 Goudey Ruth doesn’t make the cut) similar to the approach taken on the old cardboard website. But even they focused almost exclusively on items catalogued in the Lemke Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards book.

I’ve been working on a website (about 30% complete) that identifies all cards and photos (excluding only yearbooks and certain other magazine photos) to show the earliest collectible(s) for each hall of fame baseball player. The lists are mostly complete, but I haven’t finished uploading all the images. If you only want to see major league “rookie” cards, you can find them. If you just want earliest (including minor leagues), you can find them too. If you don’t care about size (“size matters not” - Yoda), there’s plenty of big and small items to peruse. If you want to know the earliest image with team items (like team postcards) or just composites or you’re okay with press photos and original photos or “one-of-a-kind” cabinets or magazine premiums, supplements, and woodcuts, you’ll find ‘em here. To each his own.

Take a look and let me know if you have any recommended additions.

HOF Earliest website:
https://imageevent.com/derekgranger/hofearliest

Enjoy the sneak peak. You won’t be disappointed. Once complete, I’ll add a reference page on this site. Obviously, a lot of credit has to go to Phil Garry on his early work on this topic. I’ve just added and added to the list after years of research and lots of AH catalog browsing. I hope to finish the site by the end of this year, but it’s a labor of love, so please be patient.

[Baseball Rarities]

Derek - that is an awesome list. I only follow a few players and issues that your webpage covers, but your information really accurate in those instances. The work that you and Phil Garry have done with these "first collectible" and "rookie" lists is really appreciated.

I would suggest that you create a new thread where people could comment and add to it.

[Exhibitman]

Do non-USA cards belong on a rookie card list for MLB players? I totally get the issue with NL players who, but how is a card not issued in the USA the RC of an MLB player when he has USA issued cards, e.g., Al Lopez's 1930 Baguer instead of his 1927 die-cut or 1951 Bowman? If a foreign issue counts, why not count team issues that were at least issued somewhere in the USA? And if one PC counts, don't all PCs count?



this cut from the back of a box is a card?



But these cuts from a newspaper are not (1949 Philadelphia Bulletin cards)?



They were intended to be cut out and saved as baseball cards.

I don't mean to be nit-picky, but it just seems that drawing the line based on materials or size alone is arbitrary.