1933 Diamond Matchbooks

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks! I actually emailed PSA about a week ago regarding grading these - I'll update the thread if I get a reply back. Is Jim Musick holding two footballs, one in each hand or am I just seeing double again?

[Footballdude]

I too collect matchcovers. However, I don't have any from the first silver set, so I'll be watching this thread with interest. I do have over 125 from other sets though.

[jefferyepayne]

This is a great thread but we need more pictures from those who have these! I have only a few so haven't started to tackle this one yet.

Here is one of the big dogs that I do have.



jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Awesome! The Hubbard is the rarest, right? Jeff are either of those recent wins? I think I remember seeing a Hubbard matchbook in an SGC holder in one of the recent spring auctions.

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Awesome! The Hubbard is the rarest, right? Jeff are either of those recent wins? I think I remember seeing a Hubbard matchbook in an SGC holder in one of the recent spring auctions.

I know its ONE of the more difficult ones to find but not sure about the rarest. I'd have to pull John Spano's excellent article on Diamond Matchbooks from Gridiron Greats to check. I know SGC gives it along with the Nagurski the most weight in their equation but I don't put much credence into what the grading companies think. They often don't know the sets as well as hard core collectors and their weightings are often just plain wrong.

You have a good memory, John! I picked up both of these in a BST auction lot recently.

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

I'd have to pull John Spano's excellent article on Diamond Matchbooks from Gridiron Greats

I think John's article (referenced by Jeff above) says $1000 for a Nagurski, but he also mentions they don't come up often. Looking for a link to the article.....

[wrestlingcardking]

Thanks, any help is appreciated.

[obiwin]

@DezHood. It's funny that you asked, I too have often wondered whether Jim Musick was holding the ball sideways or if he was, as you are seeing, in fact, holding two footballs.

I wasn't sure, but was leaning towards the two footballs.

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks! I actually emailed PSA about a week ago regarding grading these - I'll update the thread if I get a reply back. Is Jim Musick holding two footballs, one in each hand or am I just seeing double again?

[TanksAndSpartans]

OK, I see it now, with my glasses on, I think Musick is holding the football sideways - two footballs would've been cool though.

I got a response from PSA regarding the grading:

We do actually grade some of the 1933-1938 Diamond Matchbooks Football Cards. Below I’ve included the items we’ve already graded, however, if you do not see your items listed please respond with front and back images of the items in question along with as much information as you can provide. Once I hear back from you I will contact our research department and should have a response within 7-10 Business Days.

Then I got an image which listed 12 subjects:

33 Nagurski
35 Badgro
35 Musso
36 Nagurski
36 Stydahar
37 Manders
37 Corbett
37 Bausch
37 Fortmann
37 Feathers
38 Maniaci
38 Famiglietti

So I guess they recognize these, but all others need to be proven to exist? A bit of a head scratcher. I've never see one in a PSA holder, so it is interesting to know these 12 are out there.

Given the response though, I may just reply back "thanks", let me know if you have any better follow up.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Also, Carl or Jeff or others, what would a "mint" matchbook look like? Would it be one that was folded with the matches in it just like they come out of the cigarette machines today?

When Carl says: "Most important thing is striker intact not "bob tailed " and unstuck." - I'm not familiar with the terminology.

[obiwin]

here's an example of what "bob tail" means

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1934-Diamond...item20f8a14d4a

notice how the Paul Collins on the right is missing the striker portion at the top whereas the Orien Crow on the left still has the striker portion intact. The Paul Collins one is considered a bobtail.

and I think "unstuck" was a typo. I think Carl meant "unstruck" as in that the striker portion of the matchbook has not been used to actually light a match, so that the striker portion remains pristine.

Originally Posted by DezHood

Also, Carl or Jeff or others, what would a "mint" matchbook look like? Would it be one that was folded with the matches in it just like they come out of the cigarette machines today?

When Carl says: "Most important thing is striker intact not "bob tailed " and unstuck." - I'm not familiar with the terminology.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Obiwin - great explanation of what a bobtail is. And unstruck makes sense too, the striker would look like a clean slate if it had never been used. What about the matches and the folds? As a collector, flattened out without matches (safety issue if you have a lot of them?) would seem like the optimal state for storage, but technically one that was in its original state would have the matches.... What's the thought on that?

[Exhibitman]

A Nagurski:



Here are a few Redskins matchcovers:






A later cover for a hair product that I picked up for the HOF boxer:

[obiwin]

I personally prefer them flattened out without the matches. I feel this is the state that is most presentable and easiest to store.

I store them either in 6 pocket pages or 3x5 toploaders.


Whole books in their original folded state with all matches and unstruck panel tend to sell for a premium. But I personally don't like to pay extra for an item that is harder to look at and enjoy.

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks Obiwin - great explanation of what a bobtail is. And unstruck makes sense too, the striker would look like a clean slate if it had never been used. What about the matches and the folds? As a collector, flattened out without matches (safety issue if you have a lot of them?) would seem like the optimal state for storage, but technically one that was in its original state would have the matches.... What's the thought on that?