Any 'finds' overseas?

[Brian]

I was just curious if anyone had picked up sports or non-sports cards or memorabilia overseas, say, in Europe?

There were some interesting sportscards of American athletes issued in the UK, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, to name a few. I was wondering if anyone had scored any interesting items from foreign lands? Would love to see some finds, if any.

I will be visiting London in the winter and was also curious whether anyone picked up anything of interest there, and if so, where in particular?

Thanks!
Brian

[Writehooks]

Produced by Upper Deck, 5,000 of these eight-card panels were given to fans attending the first NHL China Games (LA Kings vs Vancouver Canucks) in Shanghai and Beijing on Sept. 21 and Sept. 23, 2017. Printed exclusively in Mandarin, the issue includes all-time greats Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy, Sidney Crosby and current Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In 2018 the second China Games, featuring the Boston Bruins vs Calgary Flames, were played in Shenzhen and Beijing, and the panels, again limited to 5,000, feature four players from each team -- including all three members of the Bruins' "Perfect Line": Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pasernak. I was fortunate enough to attend all four games in a media capacity.

[Brian]

Very cool, thanks for posting!

[cubman1941]

Contact UKguy

[doug.goodman]

From a Tokyo flea market, a bit less than 2 ft square.

$10 usd

[Yoda]

If you can find a source, try and locate a 1926 Bobby Jones RC Lambert and Butler. It is a hot card here for those into Golf collectibles. Should think more plentiful and cheaper in UK as issued there and no doubt more plentiful. Good luck. And the Pound is working in your favor.

[Brian]

Nice find in Tokyo!

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice (and many thanks to Gary in UK).

[packs]

I picked this card up at a flea market in Berlin:

[Brian]

That is a great card of Jesse and Long--and a truly amazing story behind the photo. The ultimate f---k you to Hitler!

[kecleveland]

I found a guy in Spain for soccer cards. I tell him what I want and then he raids his grandmother’s attic. Recently got a set of 1921 Jaime Boix Barcelona ricardo zamora barcelona.jpgpuzzles.

[chalupacollects]

Found some non-sport and "off-sport" cricket and such in Hamburg in an antique store...

[Brian]

Cool soccer cards. Is there anything on the backs?
Find any Pele cards?

[Exhibitman]

As a boxing collector I get cards from all over the world via mail order. I haven't been there but I love to show this pocket-sized Korean folding card of Hank Aaron:

[kecleveland]

Originally Posted by Brian

Cool soccer cards. Is there anything on the backs?
Find any Pele cards?

Here’s the back. No Pele, only Spanish players and teams. He does have some weird Jordan’s though.

[Brian]

Neat card of Hank. My Korean is a bit rusty-what do his jersey and the panel below say, I wonder.....

[prestigecollectibles]

The jersey says Beksul Ham. Which is now owned by CJ Foods. The panel below on the left lists Aaron's different records and accomplishments. The right side is a glossary of baseball terms like perfect game, balk, triple play, etc.

Originally Posted by Brian

Neat card of Hank. My Korean is a bit rusty-what do his jersey and the panel below say, I wonder.....

[Exhibitman]

It is from a 1982 tour that the pro baseball league in Korea, which was just starting, arranged with Aaron and Ernie Banks. Haven't found a Banks card, yet.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/spo...00_160792.html

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Brian

Cool soccer cards. Is there anything on the backs?
Find any Pele cards?

Israel:



Uruguay:



Argentina:



Germany:



And the Pele of beaseball:



France:



And the Pele of boxing:

Israel:



Holland:



Sweden:



Czechslovakia:

[Brian]

I knew someone here could translate the Korean (I am assuming you were not kidding about the ham).

Awesome Pele and Ali cards! I will keep an eye out for them as I travel.

[GasHouseGang]

I have found both sports related and many non-sports when traveling in Europe. Here are a few examples picked up there and on Net54.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

As a boxing collector I get cards from all over the world via mail order. I haven't been there but I love to show this pocket-sized Korean folding card of Hank Aaron:

The English translation is: 'I never took performance enhancing drugs.'

[jbsports33]

No, but definitely Canada over the years!

[edjs]

From Argentina, Nobleza De Tabacos.

[Brian]

So my question for you guys that have picked up sports or non-sports cards overseas: did you get them at a fraction of the price you'd pay here? In other words, are pieces of cardboard/cards in general under-appreciated as a whole outside of the US?

What about Einstein cards--or cards of other "figures" with global importance, like Marilyn Monroe? I would bet they are more valued and are listed on eBay with those inflated BINs.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Adam, according to moviecard.com, which is an amazing resource, that Serie M.L.H. card was issued in either (of all places) Trinidad and Tobago or Algeria.

Also, the Swedish Candy card has been rethought apparently, now it is considered a 1968 Dutch unnumbered issue.

[seanofjapan]

Originally Posted by Brian

So my question for you guys that have picked up sports or non-sports cards overseas: did you get them at a fraction of the price you'd pay here? In other words, are pieces of cardboard/cards in general under-appreciated as a whole outside of the US?

What about Einstein cards--or cards of other "figures" with global importance, like Marilyn Monroe? I would bet they are more valued and are listed on eBay with those inflated BINs.

I live in Japan and basically just collect Japanese cards.

Prices used to be way cheaper here than in the US and to a certain extent that is still true, but there has been a lot of convergence in prices over the past few years.

With vintage stuff I think this is mainly the result of American buyers rather than Japanese ones. Various developments (translation software, proxy services, etc) have made Japanese online auctions way more accessible to US buyers than they were a decade ago, and prices on stuff has shot up accordingly as they've been able to bid on stuff.

One example would be the 1929 Shonen Club Babe Ruth. A few years ago I could find copies of that for 100-200$ here. Today its rare to find one and they always go for over $1,000. Demand from Japanese collectors hasn't increased at all in that time period (the existence of the card is barely known in Japanese collecting circles), its all been driven by American buyers scooping them up and driving the price up.

It creates a bit of tension here (just a bit, not much), some Japanese collectors do get annoyed by rising prices attributable to gaijin demand. Not many are after that Ruth card, but for Sadaharu Oh cards in particular (which they have a bit more interest in) the prices have shot through the roof.

[edjs]

Hard to say on the Argentine soccer card, this one is rough, and I really don’t track prices on them. I bought the one, I think it’s neat.

[Ulidia]

Originally Posted by kecleveland

I found a guy in Spain for soccer cards. I tell him what I want and then he raids his grandmother’s attic. Recently got a set of 1921 Jaime Boix Barcelona Attachment 587421puzzles.

I assume you are aware. However, the primary footballer pictured here is Ricardo Zamora. Zamora was one of the most famous players, and certainly the most famous goalkeeper, of the pre WWII era. Also, a controversial figure off the pitch.



As to shops and opportunities to buy cards in London? In my experience, living here, the opportunities are relatively limited. Rather, it’s certainly possible to buy vintage tobacco cards (referred to as “cigarette cards”) here. However, not of vintage US-produced baseball cards; other than where a collector has purchased from across the pond and, hence, if selling, the price tends to be high as they are factoring in their additional costs of original purchase (customs fees, international postage etc).


Other points to note:
- Vintage British football (i.e. “soccer”’) cards from the early 20th century (pre WWI) have exploded in price in recent years; primarily for certain players but also to some extent across the board and the collector base is relatively knowledgeable. Therefore, the opportunity to find bargains would be limited. I’m unsure as to the extent of read across to cards of other themes from this era but many still appear to be very low priced, esp. where purchasing mixed lots at an auction.

- There are a number of card shops around London. However, in practice, these are very modern focused. They’re also very much in the suburbs. Similarly, London now has two regular card shows but these are also well out in suburbs with very little vintage.

- Generally, sellers across Europe are much more aware of prices / values of cards than in the past. Many sellers, similar to many US-based seller, clearly over price and over value their items; certainly online. In my experience, “finds” are better physically in antique and paper shops in parts of Italy and Spain.


Note it works both ways in terms of searching for items overseas. For many years, I’ve searched for rare vintage soccer programs from matches played in the US - particularly of British and European touring teams playing exhibition games against often local US amateur teams. Many of these can be hard to find but, in the past, occasionally bargains could be found on, say, eBay. Not the case these days.

[Brian]

Thanks, Ciaran, very useful info!

I have communicated with numerous sellers in Europe. They seem to be pretty well informed about the value of Cassius Clay cards.......to the extent that they largely overprice everything.

[Wilsing]

Tobacco cards are all over the place in the UK. Go to Portabello Road Market in London and you can get the entire Churchman Cigarettes Set from the 1930's for 100 pounds. Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, many others are in it.

[Vintagedeputy]

I once placed an ad in a foreign country known for a certain sportscard set. Someone actually contacted me and said they knew someone with cards but no further communication ever materialized.

[brunswickreeves]

Here’s a recent story re a super rare Babe Ruth 1921 issue found in Japan:
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...porting-goods/

[Brian]

That Ruth PC is absolutely amazing!
I cannot imagine being so lucky as to come across something like that.......

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

Here’s a recent story re a super rare Babe Ruth 1921 issue found in Japan:
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...porting-goods/

Ok, that is some great luck.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Adam, according to moviecard.com, which is an amazing resource, that Serie M.L.H. card was issued in either (of all places) Trinidad and Tobago or Algeria.

Also, the Swedish Candy card has been rethought apparently, now it is considered a 1968 Dutch unnumbered issue.

The MLH card has a designation of origin printed on the front. I don't buy the Algeria thing: wrong language. If there is a Caribbean connection, I think it more likely that the cards went through the Dutch islands rather than the British islands. FWIW, all of the ones I've seen for sale raw came through Europe.

As far as the Swedish one, I've seen that research too and I am still not sure that it wasn't a multi-country and/or multi-year issue. The box it was in is a 1968 Dutch TV series box but there were so many similar issues across nothern Europe that I don't think we have a definitive answer yet. Not that I am defending the TPGs; they usually have their heads up their butts when it comes to foreign boxing.

[UKCardGuy]

Originally Posted by Brian

So my question for you guys that have picked up sports or non-sports cards overseas: did you get them at a fraction of the price you'd pay here? In other words, are pieces of cardboard/cards in general under-appreciated as a whole outside of the US?

What about Einstein cards--or cards of other "figures" with global importance, like Marilyn Monroe? I would bet they are more valued and are listed on eBay with those inflated BINs.

Yes, they can be had for less money than in the US but you need to find them in the right place. I've managed to find Ruth Sanella cards, Ruth Bulgaria and Churchman cards on the UK and German ebay sites. I've also managed to get some good prices on the 1925 Turf Cigarettes George Sisler card.

If you're interested in soccer cigarette cards, they're a dime a dozen in the UK.

[Brian]

Gary, those are outstanding finds! Congratulations!

[kecleveland]

I find the prices from overseas all over the map. I’ve primarily been purchasing soccer from Europe with an occasional boxer here and there. I’ve also purchased some Sadaharu Oh’s from Japan, but there are no bargains for Oh. In fact, Sadaharu Oh cards have gone up dramatically since the pandemic.

Pele cards used to be more affordable, but seemed to jump in price since last year’s world up. His recent death, and $1 million rookie card also drove prices up.

I find European and South American soccer card prices are all over the place for the same card. English cigarette cards are way cheap and there’s tons on them, same for boxing. Italy and Spanish soccer is more expensive but can be had for sometimes less than half the asking price. I do also find American sellers like COMC sell European cards for much less.

[Ulidia]

Originally Posted by kecleveland

I find European and South American soccer card prices are all over the place for the same card. English cigarette cards are way cheap and there’s tons on them, same for boxing. Italy and Spanish soccer is more expensive but can be had for sometimes less than half the asking price. I do also find American sellers like COMC sell European cards for much less.

The English soccer cigarette cards that are cheap are those from between the two World Wars. Those pre WWI have risen dramatically in price over recent years, esp for iconic players of the era such as Billy Meredith and Steve Bloomer.

Italian cards are generally priced higher and more collectible than Spanish equivalents. For example, cards of Giuseppe Meazza (Italian soccer legend of the late 1920s through to early 1940s) have sold for high 5 figure sums in recent years. Similarly, other Italian soccer legends such as Piola and Valentino Mazzola can command high prices. Comparatively, the equivalent Spanish stars such as a Samitier, Alacantara and Zamora sell much smaller sums.

I am a season ticket holder of Internazionale of Milano and travel to Milan regularly (next trip is forthcoming Friday). There are many markets but the items for sale there are generally over-priced and, irrespective of price, not particularly alluring. I find that’s the same with all mainstream markets across Europe, including UK. My better purchases in Italy have come from building up relationships over time with other collectors - building and maintaining a network really does help.

[Brian]

Very interesting. I have never acquired one, but I was always pretty amazed at how comparatively undervalued (there's that word again) Sadaharu Oh's cards were, him being the 'Babe Ruth of Japan' and all that.......

What also surprises me is that some sellers in Europe nowadays don't ship to the US. If they are selling cards and Americana most frequently bought by Americans (including Ruth and Ali), that is a poor business model in IMO. I never figured that one out. Is there some new glitch in shipping to the US? I am seeing this more and more.

[Steve D]

Wasn't there a find of several T215 Pirate-back cards down-under a few years ago (Australia)?

Steve

[Snowman]

I have a 1958 Menko Doyusha Jackie Robinson that was discovered in Tokyo. Pretty cool card.

[EddieP]

Here are mine. Both are of Ruth: 1937 Lindt & Sprungli and 1930 British American Tobacco . The two companies are still in existence. Anyone with an interest in business history will know that the British American Tobacco Company was created by the T206 distributor, American Tobacco, to sell tobacco products overseas. And, despite its name, British American Tobacco did not sell tobacco products in the UK or the US. Because of this, I believe the recently found Spanish “ Churchman’s” is really a British American Tobacco Card.

[seanofjapan]

Originally Posted by Snowman

I have a 1958 Menko Doyusha Jackie Robinson that was discovered in Tokyo. Pretty cool card.

That is a beauty!

The picture is Jackie, but it was supposed to be a Roberto Barbon card (the player identified in the text on the card). One of the all time great photo errors.

[Catfish Fran]

Write me a private message for Spanish Vintage soccer cards

Originally Posted by kecleveland

I found a guy in Spain for soccer cards. I tell him what I want and then he raids his grandmother’s attic. Recently got a set of 1921 Jaime Boix Barcelona Attachment 587421puzzles.

[PhillyVintage]

Originally Posted by Wilsing

Tobacco cards are all over the place in the UK. Go to Portabello Road Market in London and you can get the entire Churchman Cigarettes Set from the 1930's for 100 pounds. Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, many others are in it.

This. I was just in London and there are cigarette cards all over Portobello Road Market. Loose singles, complete sets, framed displays of variable taste and quality.

[frankbmd]

I bought an American Tobacco Company stock certificate at a flea market in Barcelona. Yeah, the Barcelona in Spain.

[Brian]

Eddie, nice finds. Can you possibly blow up the card on the left? Never seen that one before.

Travis, that Robinson is very cool!

You guys have found some great stuff in all corners.......Thanks for sharing.

[EddieP]

Here you go. And here’s the photo that inspired it, Big Baseball Player April 1927:

[Brian]

Thanks--that is one cool card! I had never seen it before--this is a great forum.