Favorite Non Hall of Fame vintage cards

[Archive]

Posted By: brian parker 

Thanks for the good idea Kenny--been thinking about posting this slight variation on the favorite card theme for quite some time, and it's high time to move on to something that relates to collecting. We have had previous threads on favorite cards, but I found that most of the respondents listed Hall of Fame or notorius players (such as Black Sox players) almost exclusively, or sometimes tough to get cards. I too put a great value on cards that picture one of these players (the E92/E101/E102 etc. Mathewson has to be one of my favorites all time), but there are many other cards of common players that are aesthetically just dang pleasing cards. So check out your collection and share some of your common joe favorites--here's mine.

1910 Obak of Coy, Vernon, and Murphy, Los Angeles--the Obak series, especially the 1910 and 1911 sets, are known for their vivid colors, and I have chosen these two for their unreal, sherbert-esque skylines, as well as their incredibly realistic player depictions.

E93 Ames--I love the unique angle of the card, showing an above the waist depiction of a high wind-up, his front,gloved arm reaching to the sky and the ball behind his body at waist-level. I'm guessing the pitch was going to be a high hard one.

E90-1 McInnes--Once again a sucker for colors, ranging from the green of the grass, to the red, orange and blues of the sky, with a nice, bat pointed at the viewer pose.

T206 Leifield (pitching)--This one also has it all, with great artwork, neat button-up uniform and red collar, colorful sky and a awesome, both hands behind the head windup. If it said Mathewson (which ol'Lefty does resemble) instead of Leifield, I imagine it would make everyone's favorite list.

E220 National Caramel Dykes--I just find this card incredibly appealing. I think it is because of the interesting close-up, waist to head, of Jimmy's batting stance, his front arm exposing the long sleeved undershirt. But also because of his devilish, determined grin--he just looks like an old time player.
And the black and white image just adds to the grittiness.

W503 Ward--this set is a strip card issue only by its designation (which was probably given to it in error by Burdick, but that's another story). All the cards have super sharp photography, most of them full body action poses, and the Ward card is a favorite because of his classic upright stance set against the backdrop of distant bleachers.

1933 Goudey Richards--this is also a full body depiction that features full catcher gear, an interesting 'reaching around to adjust the back side of the chest protector' pose, and a very striking, converging lines of the stadium seats and baseline that adds a real sense of depth.

Diamond Stars Ostermueller--another favorite set of cards due to the overall Art Deco stylings of the backgrounds, where blocks of colors dominate. Many of the cards have great shadowy skyscrapers looming ominiously past the bleachers, and this Ostermueller card combines this with a classic arm extended pitching pose.


Theres my list--feel free to chime in with yours (don't forget: no HOF or notorius players allowed, and try to avoid including a card just because it is difficult to come by).

Brian