Top 100 Negro League Cards of All-Time

[bcbgcbrcb]

After spending the past few months doing lots of research, I have come up with my version of the Top 100 Negro League Cards of All-Time. My criteria for this list was that the card had to be part of a set (no individual unique real photo postcards, etc.) and the card had to picture an individual player (no team cards or team postcards, etc.).

In addition to putting this list together over the past few months, I have also collected images of all 100 cards so if there is a scan that someone would like to see, I would be happy to post it in this thread or e-mail it to you.

I know this list will spark great controversy so let's get started:


# 1 – 1910 Punch Cigars – Pop Lloyd
# 2 – 1930-31 Harrison Studio P/C – Josh Gibson
# 3 – 1926-27 Mallorquina – Martin Dihigo
# 4 – 1910 Punch Cigars – Pete Hill
# 5 – 1910 Punch Cigars – Jose Mendez
# 6 – 1909 Cabanas – Pete Hill
# 7 – 1950-51 Toleteros – Josh Gibson
# 8 – 1931 Doble Aguila – Martin Dihigo (Hilldale)
# 9 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Oscar Charleston
# 10 – 1923-24 Billiken – Oscar Charleston

# 11 - 1952 Indianapolis Clowns – Hank Aaron
# 12 – 1926-27 Mallorquina – Willie Foster
# 13 – 1924-25 Aguilitas Segundas – Biz Mackey
# 14 – 1948-49 El Indio – Monte Irvin
# 15 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Pop Lloyd
# 16 – 1924-25 Aguilitas – Oscar Charleston
# 17 – 1923-24 Billiken – Pop Lloyd
# 18 – 1926-27 Mallorquina – Pop Lloyd
# 19 – 1924-25 Aguilitas – Joe “Pop” Lloyd
# 19 – 1924-25 Aguilitas – Sam “Pop” Lloyd

# 21 – 1923-24 Tom Gutierrez – Cristobal Torriente (Mariano)
# 21 – 1923-24 Tom Gutierrez – Cristobal Torriente (Havana)
# 23 – 1926-27 Mallorquina – Oliver Marcelle
# 24 – 1923-24 Billiken – Cristobal Torriente
# 25 – 1909 Cabanas – Bruce Petway
# 26 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Jose Mendez
# 27 – 1923-24 Billiken – Jose Mendez
# 28 – 1923-24 Nacionales – Cristobal Torriente
# 29 – 1948-49 Toleteros – Hilton Smith
# 30 – 1923-24 Nacionales – Jose Mendez

# 31 – 1948-49 Toleteros – Willard Brown
# 32 – 1924-25 Aguilitas – Cristobal Torriente
# 33 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Andy Cooper
# 34 – 1949-50 Toleteros – Leon Day
# 35 – 1953-54 Venezuelan – Luis Aparicio Jr.
# 36 – 1924-25 Aguilitas Segundas – Jose Mendez
# 37 – 1923-24 Billiken – Andy Cooper
# 38 – 1923-24 Nacionales – Andy Cooper
# 39 – 1932 Doble Aguila – Martin Dihigo (#255)
# 39 – 1932 Doble Aguila – Martin Dihigo (#304)
# 39 – 1931 Doble Aguila – Martin Dihigo (#197)

# 42 – 1948-49 El Indio – Minnie Minoso
# 43 – 1949-50 Toleteros – Willard Brown
# 44 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Oliver Marcelle
# 45 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Alejandro Oms
# 46 – 1950-51 Toleteros – Willard Brown
# 47 – 1923-24 Billiken – Oliver Marcelle
# 48 – 1924-25 Aguilitas Segundas – Dick Lundy
# 49 – 1923-24 Billiken – Alejandro Oms
# 50 – 1923-24 Nacionales – Alejandro Oms

# 51 – 1943-44 La Campana – Martin Dihigo
# 52 – 1924-25 Aguilitas – Alejandro Oms
# 53 – 1950-51 Denia – Willard Brown
# 54 – 1950-51 Denia – Leon Day
# 55 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Oscar Johnson
# 56 – 1923-24 Billiken – Nip Winters
# 57 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Bill Holland
# 58 – 1926-27 Aguilitas – Alejandro Oms
# 59 – 1950-51 Denia – Raymond Brown
# 60 – 1945-46 Caramelo Deportivo – Martin Dihigo

# 61 – 1945-46 Caramelo – Ray Dandridge
# 62 – 1950 Dominica Republic – Martin Dihigo
# 63 – 1945-46 Caramelo - Raymond Brown
# 64 – 1946-47 Caramelo – Don Newcombe
# 65 – 1930-31 Harrison Studios P/C – Ted Page
# 66 – 1946-47 Caramelo Deportivo – Martin Dihigo
# 67 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Dobie Moore
# 68 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Clint Thomas
# 69 – 1946-47 Almanaque – Martin Dihigo
# 70 – 1923-24 Billiken – Dobie Moore

# 71 – 1923-24 Billiken – Clint Thomas
# 72 – 1947 Campo Alegre – Martin Dihigo
# 73 – 1946-47 Caramelo – Ray Dandridge
# 74 – 1946-47 Sensacion – Martin Dihigo
# 75 – 1924-25 Aguilitas Segundas – Dobie Moore
# 76 – 1924-25 Aguilitas Segundas – Clint Thomas
# 77 – 1946-47 Fotos – Martin Dihigo
# 78 – 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez – Bombin Pedroso
# 79 – 1946-47 Propagandas – Martin Dihigo
# 80 – 1945-46 Caramelo – Minnie Minoso

# 81 – 1950-51 Toleteros In-Action – Willard Brown
# 82 – 1931 Harrison Studios – George Scales
# 83 – 1931 Harrison Studios – Vic Harris
# 84 – 1949-50 Acebo Y Cia – Ray Dandridge
# 85 – 1947 Mexican League – Martin Dihigo
# 86 – 1952 Victoria – Ray Dandridge
# 87 – 1949-50 Alerta – Ray Dandridge
# 88 – 1946-47 Campo Alegre – Minnie Minoso
# 89 – 1946-47 Fotos – Minnie Minoso
# 90 – 1946-47 Caramelo – Buck O’Neill

# 91 – 1946-47 Caramelo – Minnie Minoso
# 92 – 1946-47 Almanaque – Buck O’Neill
# 93 – 1946-47 Almanaque – Minnie Minoso
# 94 – 1952 Victoria – Minnie Minoso
# 95 – 1948-49 Toleteros – George Scales
# 96 – 1949-50 Toleteros – Chet Brewer
# 97 – 1949-50 Toleteros – Sam Bankhead
# 98 – 1949-50 Toleteros – George Scales
# 99 – 1950-51 Denia – Sam Bankhead
# 100 – 1950-51 Toleteros – George Scales

[benchod]

Nice list and a lot of effort putting it together
You have too much time on your hands!

[benchod]

There's no right or wrong answer but personally I would move the Toleteros Gibson waaaay down the list. A card printed four years after he DIED and not from his playing days holds little interest to me

[bcbgcbrcb]

Valid point, Craig and I know that a lot of collectors share your view. The fact remains, however, that a high-grade Toleteros Gibson sold for over $80K a few years back. I think that alone is enough to keep it at least that high on the list. As you said, there is no right or wrong answer.

[rainier2004]

So I know nothing about negre league cards, but Ive always had an interest. How many copies exist of those cards in the top 10? top 20? top 10 generally?

Is there any good literature out these, possibly in a lipset format, on the negro league cards? Does this list reflect rarity, condition specifics, price? Sorry for the goober questions, I need to start somewhere though.

[mawitzi]

This is one of the best posts I have read in a long time. I know very little about these cards, but your list is very interesting. How about showing the 1952 Aaron. I didn't know this existed.

Thanks.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here's the '52 Aaron Indianapolis Clowns postcard............

[bcbgcbrcb]

Good questions, Steven. As far as number of cards known for each of the Top 10, here are some approximate numbers (they are all VERY scarce):

Punch Lloyd (3-5)
Harrison Gibson (1)
Mallorquina Dihigo (1-2)
Punch Hill (4-6)
Punch Mendez (4-6)
Cabanas Hill (2-4)
Toleteros Gibson (12-18)
Doble Dihigo (3-5)
Gutierrez Charleston (15-25)
Billiken Charleston (15-25)

This list takes into account rarity, player selection and value above condition and does not include the short-print anomalies such as the Caramelo Reyes, etc.

Very surprised by one omission... 1916 Zeenut Jimmy Claxton. He did have more than 350 wins, less than 200 losses, more than 4,000 strikeouts, and a lifetime batting average of about .360. He pitched in leagues outside the National Agreement so he could play for integrated and segregated teams in the same season for nearly thirty years. His playing career lasted from 1908-1946.

Though most are familiar for one day, May 28, 1916, or his partial season in the Negro Leagues (1932). His 1932 season is extremely skewed considering he suffered a season ending shoulder injury the season before (versus Owl Transfers of Seattle May 1931).

One aspect of his game that is barely acknowledged is his offense. For instance, in 1929, his batting average "never fell below .700" (34 for 46 from newspaper accounts only 12 of 19 games recorded). Including 13 consecutive hits against Spokane, White Center, and Seattle Telephone. He could certainly swing the lumber. Also had above average speed, led the Tacoma Industrial League in stolen bases in 1924 (beat out Tacoma Avenue's, and future Detroit Tiger, Roy Johnson, 11 stolen bases to 9 in a 33 game season). Also threw a no-hitter that season versus 23rd Street Skidoos.

Too many stories to tell about Claxton including a miraculous 20 wins in 20 starts season in 1925 for Edmonds of the Timber League. His career has been underrated, mostly ignored, or marginalized (baseball anomaly).

Great list of cards, especially shortly after the release of the Negro League Baseball Reference!

Claxton apologist, Ty Phelan

[bcbgcbrcb]

Never thought about Claxton, Ty, but I can see where he would be a fit for this list and rank pretty high on it as well.

BTW I'm surprised that no one has pointed out yet that Luis Aparicio Jr. was obviously never part of the Negro Leagues. I included his Venezuelan League card from 1953 because it follows the same theme as all of the other Winter League cards and is very important as it pre-dates his MLB rookie card by three years.

[fkw]

I though there was only 1 Cabanas Pete Hill known... am I missing something, any more surface ???

I always put Hill at the top, mainly because of the HOF player collector, only 2-3 can have a contemporary Hill card from any series.

[bcbgcbrcb]

You may be right, Frank. I am just guessing that there may be another one (or two) out there. I believe that there are a few known duplicates of other players from the set so it would make sense that more than one Hill might be possible.

[T206DK]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Good questions, Steven. As far as number of cards known for each of the Top 10, here are some approximate numbers (they are all VERY scarce):

Punch Lloyd (3-5)
Harrison Gibson (1)
Mallorquina Dihigo (1-2)
Punch Hill (4-6)
Punch Mendez (4-6)
Cabanas Hill (2-4)
Toleteros Gibson (12-18)
Doble Dihigo (3-5)
Gutierrez Charleston (15-25)
Billiken Charleston (15-25)

This list takes into account rarity, player selection and value above condition and does not include the short-print anomalies such as the Caramelo Reyes, etc.

wasn't the Caramelo Reyes card only available if you took your album to the factory ? great work on the list also !!

[Kenny Cole]

Interesting post, Phil. As a matter of personal preference, I would probably move some of the top 20 around a bit, but I think overall, your list is very well thought out. Best,

Kenny

[ethicsprof]

nothing to add except to say that this list and the research and time invested is most impressive.
many thanks for sharing.
best,
barry

[ElCabron]

This is a cool list, Phil, but where in the world are you getting your population numbers from? Actually, I know you're just making them up with your best guesses, but I'm not sure how responsible that is when there are probably going to be people to use your list or this thread as a whole as a reference source. Some cards which have one known example are listed as having a population of one. Others are listed as 2-4. Some aren't even known to exist at all, like the Mallorquina Willie Foster. Unless you know something I don't, there are zero examples of that card known.

Also, Denia should be 1951-52, not 1950-51.

I'm not trying to be too nitpicky and won't get into anything about the order (Irvin ahead of Charleston, seriously?) because we all have our own preferences and opinions on those. All in all, this is great work and I appreciate that you've put it together.

It would be interesting to see a list of specific examples of cards and how they'd rank. For example, the top of my list would be the SGC 84 Billiken Oscar Charleston. Also, there's a Punch Mendez with backing. That's hugely different than a skinned one and way more important. In fact, there's a Punch Padron with backing that I'd probably put ahead of 80% of the cards on the list.

It would also be really interesting to see how some of the other Negro League experts would rank their top 100 lists.

Thanks for your efforts!

-Ryan

[bcbgcbrcb]

You are correct, Ryan, those numbers were my best guesses and I beleive that they at least give potential collectors an idea if a card is realistic to shoot for, i.e. - not too much difference between 0, 1 or 2 copies existing, the main idea being that the card is near-impossible to come by as compared to a Billiken Charleston or Toleteros Gibson, which can be found if you have the $$'s to spend.

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's interesting (to me anyhow) that despite their tremendous longevity, neither Satchel Paige nor Cool Papa Bell have any Negro League cards.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Bell actually appears on a c1930 real photo postcard which I believe is unique and is also severely trimmed down.

[Kenny Cole]

Here's a RPPC of Bell

[rustywilly]

Your list shows a lot of research Phil, nice job. Some questions below:

You mentioned the list “takes into account rarity, player selection and value above condition.” But, you have the 1945-6 Caramelo Deportivo Dihigo listed at #60 with 40 total graded examples (total SGC – 29; total PSA - 11). Then, you have the 1946-47 Caramelo Deportivo Martin Dihigo listed at #66 with 11 graded examples (total SGC– 7; total PSA - 4). Finally, the Fotos Dihigo with three known copies is at #77. C'mon now - it's numero uno in my collection, man!!! Singles from each of the Caramelo Deportivo sets are regularly available in graded and raw form.

Are you placing a premium on rookie vs. 2nd year, etc?

Why is the rookie Cabanas Hill with one known example not listed above the Punch Cigars Hill with 2 copies?

Where's the 1949-50 Toleteros Hilton Smith? I'd trade lots of cards on your list for an example.

Thanks again!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Nice, Kenny. That's not the one that I was talking about but great card!

Mark:

Definitely an oversight on my part with the Toleteros Hilton Smith, I guess something was bound to fall through the cracks on a 100 card list. My reasoning on the Punch Hill over Cabanas is that the Punch set overall seems to exhibit more interest and collectability, obviously once you are at a level of one or two known examples, rarity is basically the same as both would be near-impossible cards to own. Regarding the Dihigo cards, you are correct in your assessment, as I got further down on my list, the order probably got a little less accurate and I did favor the earlier cards over later ones in most cases, with collectibility of a particular set in general playing a role in things as well.

[fkw]

PS Phil, I forgot to mention on my earlier thread........ thanks for making the list (I can se it took some time), many of the cards I never really thought about or forgot about, nice to see a list of all these rarities on one thread. Get people thinking about how rare some of these truly are.... Frank

[ghostmarcelle]

Phil,

Kudos to you for the concept and execution of your list - I can tell it took much effort and was well thought out. The inclusion of guys like Heavy Johnson, Clint Thomas and Sam Bankhead also reveal a depth of knowledge into Negro League history. Any list like this is always subjective and fueled by personal preference, so there really is no right or wrong and everyone's list is going to be a little different. This is not meant to be a criticism, but here are a few thoughts that I would take into account in coming up with my own list:

-I would have more 1909 Cabanas, this is the first Cuban set and it is a beauty. I would consider guys like Luis Padron, Luis Bustamante, Chino Moran and Agustin Parpetti.
-There are several other US Negro Leaguers from the 1920's sets that I would include before going to the Felices/Toleteros era, guys like Dave Brown, Edgar Wesley, Frank Duncan, Frank Warfield, Jesse Hubbard, Valentin Dreke, etc.
-There are a couple Toleteros that rank high for me personally, including the 1948-49 Bus Clarkson photographic card, the 1949-50 Perucho Cepeda variation, and anything with Canena Marquez.

Overall a terrific effort though, and I hope it leads to more discussion!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Good points, Matt, especially Dave Brown. He was one of those bubble guys that I thought hard about including but fell just short in the end. For the lesser known players, I relied mainly on my Negro League Baseball Biographical Encyclopedia along with pricing in the SCBC Negro League related sets.

[grenuche]

Phil,

Thanks for producing such a really interesting list. The attempt to rank the cards shows true thought and analysis. What makes any such list particularly hard is the fact that so many great players (Paige, Cool Papa Bell, etc ) never had any cards issued during their careers. I am particularly impressed by your inclusion of such players as Bill Holland, Chet Brewer and Sam Bankhead.

Aside from the obviously unintentional oversight of the 49-50 Toleteros Hilton Smith, I thought that the most valuable inclusions in the top 100 would be the George Scales 26-27 Mallorquina; the 1950 Dominican Willard Brown; the 23-24 Billiken Edgar Wesley; and the 23-24 Tomas Gutierrez Edgar Wesley. Wesley, one the Negro League's earliest great sluggers, was ranked by William F. McNeil as the premier Negro League first baseman of the 1900-1925 era.

I also join Matt in thinking that Dave Brown, and maybe Frank Duncan and Valentin Dreke, should be included. Certainly Dave Brown-- because his back story of short brilliant career/murder make his two cards (23-24 Tomas Gutierrez and 23-24 Billiken supplemental) highly collectible.

Who would I drop to make room? Well, six cards for Minnie Minoso seem excessive since even the Negro League HOF Committee passed him over because he, like Roy Campanella, had a solid major league career and may one day be admitted on that basis. To be consistent with Luis Aparicio, I would limit his inclusion on the list to his earliest card. I also feel that four cards of George Scales in the top 100 are too many.

Now an argument. I believe strongly that the 1930-31 Harrison Studio Card of Josh Gibson (not the Pop Lloyd Punch card) should be rated as No. 1 because:

1. The 1930-31 Harrison Studio set is the sole American based issue from the Negro League era.
2. It features the only contemporaneous card of the Negro League's greatest slugger shown on his own card during his playing days. (Lloyd has five other issues.)
3. It was issued in 1931- the first full year of Josh Gibson's career (he was 18) with the Homestead Grays- and is therefore a true Rookie card.
4. It shows Gibson in his 1931 Homestead Grays uniform-- perhaps the Negro League's greatest team of all time.
5. There is one known copy of the card - making it rarer than the 1910 Punch Lloyd.
6. The card is double autographed by Josh Gibson - also making it the only full body image autographed by Gibson currently known to exist.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Steven:

You make a lot of good points regarding the Harrison Gibson. The single biggest factor for me placing that one below the Lloyd on my list is that it is a postcard. Although my definition of what qualifies as a card is a little more liberal than many other people's, everyone will condiser the Lloyd to be a card while probably somewhere around 30-40% of collectors would not say the same about the Gibson postcard.

[aljurgela]

as with most, i applaud your efforts here and have different opinions... the most glaring ommission for me is the punch home run johnson... though i concur with the matt's dave brown comment as well.

a few other tid bits: the oms aguilitas 24-25 is much more rare than the other oms cards... the tomas gutierrez are much rarer than you think and your estimates on their existing numbers are grossly overstated, imo....

i like ryan's idea of which cards you would want and concur with him that an a list of actual card (billiken 84 charleston, punch mendez with back, etc would be fantastic)...

again, fantastic list... great job... will try to do something similar, but a lot of fun and fantastic knowledge

al

[grenuche]

Al,

I omitted the Punch Home Run Johnson from my list because I have always thought that it was "unconfirmed" - one of those cards which should exist in theory but has never been proven - Sort of like the Great White Whale of Negro League card collecting. Am I wrong? Does any one know whether it has actually been spotted?

Steven

[grenuche]

I forgot about 1946-47 Almanaque Ray Dandridge, which I think should be included in the Top 100.