Has anyone seen Burdick's collection?

[Matthew H]

I will be in New York soon and was wondering if the cards on public display are worth seeing.

I also noticed in this article that some people have had access to his full collection. Maybe they are important in the hobby (writers, etc).

I was wondering if any of you have seen his collection and have a story about something you saw that has never been seen before.

Here's a link to the article originally from SCD.

http://www.oldbaseball.com/refs/burdick_again.html

[barrysloate]

Matthew- the Metropolitan typically has an assortment of cards out on display, but it is only worth seeing if you want to spend some time going through the whole museum. There simply aren't enough cards for you to make the trip solely for that reason.

As far as getting an appointment to see the whole collection, that can be difficult. Many years ago it was much easier but when baseball cards grew in popularity it became a huge nuisance for them. Now you do need a reason, such as writing a book, to be given permission to see it. If somehow you can get in to see the whole thing, that is certainly worth it. But what they have up on the walls will take up maybe two minutes of your time.

[Matthew H]

Maybe I'll skip it then. Thanks, Barry.

[barrysloate]

You can try calling them to see if you can get an appointment. You have nothing to lose. But without it, it's probably not worth it.

[Kawika]

Archive Warshaw visited the Burdick Collection back in 2004 and gave an interesting report on the old Net54. You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/245dkmq

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Archive Warshaw visited the Burdick Collection back in 2004 and gave an interesting report on the old Net54. You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/245dkmq

Thank you for that. Maybe Baseball Cards will become popular enough one day for the whole collection to be on display.

[barrysloate]

That collection is too big to be completely on display.

Jay Miller and I wrote an article together about our trip to see the Burdick Collection. It's in a back issue of VCBC. I forget which one, but you can click the archive center link at the upper right corner of the main page to find it.

[Matthew H]

Thanks Barry, I'll check it out!

[T206Collector]

I was there about 6 months ago and they had both the Plank and Wagner on display. That was worth the trip for me.

[uffda51]

I was in NYC in 1999 and the Wagner (but not much else) was on display at the Met Museum + there another on display at the NY Public Library (main branch near Grand Central.

[tedzan]

In 1991, I made an appointment to see Burdick's collection. Back then you could view it album by album for hours.
The Met's guards hovered over you as you looked thru the albums in a "dungeon-like" room. Also, everytime you
requested another album, the guards acted as if it was quite a task.

Nonetheless, it was very fascinating looking at Burdick's cards, and it motivated me to complete my 1st T206 set.

Oh, in the album that contained Burdick's Goudey sets, the 1934 Nap Lajoie (#106) was loosely attached onto the
album's page that it caused it to flap around. Certainly, this was no way to treat such a neat card.


TED Z

We have visited the Burdick collection six times since 1976.

It was one of the most intellectually satisfying experiences we have
had as a collector.

On two of those visits we were fortunate enough to be studying the collection next to the legendary British card collector, Sir Edward Wharton Tigar. Sir Edward and Burdick were friends dating back to the 1930's

W developed a good friendship with Wharton and we made a number of trades.
We enjoyed two lovely evenings in London Flat- an entire floor of which
was devoted to Tobacco cards.

We were stunned to see a complete collection of Kalamazoo Team cabinets, Four Base Hits and hundreds of fresh Ramlys. We corresponded and traded
regularly over many years. When Sir Edward Wharton Togar passed he left his entire collection to the British Museum,

We are patron members of the Metropolitan of Art and have had specail
access to the collection.

It is always an honor and privilege to view the private collection which is now housed in the Met's elegant, quiet print room

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

[Kawika]

Earth to Bruce: You might want to consider proofreading your remarks before you post. The "I/we" thing is all hamajang.

[barrysloate]

But Bruce did say "I was stunned."

We are very impressed to see him use the first person singular.

[Anthony S.]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

But Bruce did say "I was stunned."

We are very impressed to see him use the first person singular.

Maybe his multiple personality disorder was home with the flu that day.

[oldjudge]

I saw parts of Burdick's collection on three occasions, once with Barry, and twice while working on the Old Judge book. As previously noted, permission is required for its viewing. Having said that, it never seemed unreasonably difficult to obtain the permission and, once given, the staff of the prints department was very helpful.

[Matthew H]

Great stuff guys, I was heading to New York to visit my father who is also a patron member of the Met. Maybe we'll go together.

[barrysloate]

Matthew, if he is a patron member of the Met, I will assume you will have no trouble getting to see it. In that case it is well worth the trip.

We apologize for the typos. We should not post before dawn.

As for commentary regarding the state of our mental health:

(1) From which Ivy League Medical schools do each of you hold a degree ?

(2) We would venture to say that our knowledge of the hobby, relationships with the most distinguished collectors (past and present) and education far surpass anything you have or will be able to achieve.

(3) Whilst we are open to criticism, we consider the commentary meaningless when it emanates from microminds.

(4) Our collection of ultra rare baseball memorabilia ranks among the top 15
in the world (no autographs, uniforms or bats.)

We have long-long commitment to building a world class collection and turning the impossible into possible. Unfortunately, some people are born with problems that can not be solved, even by the best of minds.

You'll find us at the National should you wish to address any of the aforementioned points.


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

[NATCARD]

Was there in May. Had about 100 cards or so on display in multi card frames including Wagner. The cards are on display in what is known as the displayable inventory and are not in amain part of the museum. This section is not always open and does depend on the number of scurity guards on duty for that particular day. Having owned a Wagner one in my life it was still a great display and the rest of the museum is specatcular.
JEFF W

[Kawika]

I think he's on to us.

[Anthony S.]

I've always been proud of our microcephaly, David. Not sure why Bruce insists on disparaging us.

[Kawika]

I don't know why, Anthony. Unfortunately, some people are born with problems that can not be solved, even by the best of minds.