Campanella card values

[Peter_Spaeth]

With the possible exception of his 52 Topps high number, it appears to me that the values of Roy Campanella cards even his rookie are relatively low. Yet he's a three time MVP, and of course his career numbers don't include his playing days in the Negro Leagues that went all the way back to 1937 at age 15. And he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers who are, to say the least, among the most popular teams ever. So what gives here?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I think, as crazy as it sounds, Jackie has a large shadow.

[ClementeFanOh]

Hi Peter- I'll preface my comments by stating that Campy is a favorite of
mine. I find it odd that certain all time greats like him don't enjoy higher
values. He's a) a sentimental favorite who b) played on a popular team and
who c) brought the stats, as you've pointed out. He also was the subject of
many classic issues like his rookie, the 52 Topps, and the 53 Bowman Color (my favorite). Another example is Rod Carew. SEVEN batting titles, 3000+ hits,
likable guy, with cool cards as well (not as desirable as Campy's, but his 60s
cards and early 70s are desirable). I suppose that, over a span of decades,
collectors/buyers have determined who they "want" or "expect" to be valuable
over time, and it is difficult to crash that party- in baseball, anyway. Trent King

[nolemmings]

Definitely underappreciated, but since I'm down to only one or two Campy's, he can fly under the radar for awhile longer as far as I'm concerned.

At the risk of posting in the pre-war area and only because every thread deserves a pic, here's one that I love from 1953:

[Peter_Spaeth]

Some more pics.

[packs]

How about a scoreCARD? Here's one I have from Roy's time with the Baltimore Elite Giants. Scorer notes Campy got into the second game of the double header in the 8th:

[71buc]

Cards of catching Greats always seem to be under valued in my opinion.

[Fuddjcal]

2- Campy Ticket Stubs were tucked into my Grand Parents Armoire Mirror from the time I could crawl in 62. When they had both passed in 1994, I plucked them off the mirror and cried because I knew that must have been a special night for them. My Grandpa and I bonded over baseball going every Sunday from 1970-1975.

This has also been one of my favorite cards. Never saw him play but was lucky enough to see him many times where he would sit behind home plate with his wife Roxy on the old Club Level. I had season seats 1991-93 and always looked forward to seeing him there.

He never missed a game. He was very approachable and always had a big smile. Roxy would sign autographs for him as the kids stood around him in awe as did us parents. My daughter was young then and she still remembers him, so I hope the love has been passed down from generation to generation...

[theuclakid]

I love the Wilson Franks issue....what a classic card

Bruce Perry

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by theuclakid

I love the Wilson Franks issue....what a classic card

Bruce Perry

Yeah I missed out on one way back in the day and then finally found one here a few years ago.

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

I think you can add Campanella to the long list of under valued vintage stars. But I think that has more to do with the fact that it takes more than just being a great player to become a hobby icon. Ruth, Cobb, Mantle, Jackie, etc. all had other qualities that made them larger than the game in some respects.

I found a new appreciation for Campanella (and many other Dodgers) after reading the "Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn.

Here's my only Campanella card. I think it's extra fun because Bowman credited him with 198 RBIs in 1951. Which is 90 more than he actually had

camp2.JPG

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Cards of catching Greats always seem to be under valued in my opinion.

Berra immediately came to mind - 3 X MVP and 10 Word series championships and a character of a personality to match!

What's that about?

[Snapolit1]

Shoot me out of the water completely if you want, but maybe Campy and Yogi weren't particularly good looking guys? I realize collecting is not a beauty pageant, but looks mean a lot in everything, right?

[Jobu]

No idea why it was printed (I have a Duke Snider too), but here is an 11x14 Type 1 photo of Campy. Come on now Steve, he isn't going to be People's sexiest man alive, but he's no Dimaggio either.

[Snapolit1]

Ha.

I will change my theory to the catcher effect. People respect catchers but they don't adore them. We idolize Willie or Clemente tracking down a fly ball like a gazelle or throwing the ball in from deep center. Physical skills we can only dream of having. The catcher is a solid workman like guy. Important in his decision making or course, but probably not the guy on the field you want to be in your dreams.

Think of how great Johnny Bench was. Realize he's post and not pre-war, but when was the last time you heard someone Jonsing for a Johnny Bench card?

[Rookiemonster]

I believe negro league stats are now being counted. Of course we know that stats were not documented very well but still.

[cardsagain74]

Catchers don't put up shiny offensive numbers. They don't have the chance to do anything shiny defensively (unless you're Pudge throwing from your knees). And baseball doesn't celebrate how individuals win multiple titles much, unless you're Reggie in the '70s.

So there's never anything "interesting" enough to put their cards near the top of the list. Except Piazza's '92 Bowman for awhile when he broke out. Shiny rate of homers. Or what happened to Munson.

Given where Bench's cards are, seems like Yogi's only sell where they do because of his one liners and being a Yankee.

Yogi, Bench, Pudge, and Campanella will probably never get their due, in the hobby or otherwise. Four insanely talented catchers in all aspects

[rjackson44]

Last three months ive gotten 10 different ,im very happy

[campyfan39]

Incredibly undervalued. Career cut short by racism on the front end and the accident on the rear yet still got 3 MVP awards in the golden era, even though he only played for a decade. His percentage of throwing out runners was incredible as well.
I love him because he was so jovial and handled the racism with humor and dignity. I also love him because of his attitude after his accident. He kept that smile and did what he could to help others. He was also a man of faith which I appreciate. If you haven't read "It's Good to be Alive" by Roy Campanella do yourself a favor and check it out.











BTW I have a 53 topps for sale in my 53 topps FS post in the BST

[BeanTown]

Campy needs more respect without a doubt. Rookie year playing for Monterrey. He is first player on left.

[Big Red Machine]

My favorite Campy.

[Exhibitman]

Reading threads like this is dangerous: I ended up pulling the trigger on a 1952 Topps after reading it!



Bought the card, not the holder...

I've had this one for years:

[irv]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Reading threads like this is dangerous: I ended up pulling the trigger on a 1952 Topps after reading it!



Bought the card, not the holder...

I've had this one for years:

Congrats, Adam. I had that one saved in my watch list and was wondering when it was going to sell?
If it weren't for the duty and the exchange rate, I would have had to pay on it, I would have purchased it sometime ago.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by campyfan39

Incredibly undervalued. Career cut short by racism on the front end and the accident on the rear yet still got 3 MVP awards in the golden era, even though he only played for a decade. His percentage of throwing out runners was incredible as well.
I love him because he was so jovial and handled the racism with humor and dignity. I also love him because of his attitude after his accident. He kept that smile and did what he could to help others. He was also a man of faith which I appreciate. If you haven't read "It's Good to be Alive" by Roy Campanella do yourself a favor and check it out.











BTW I have a 53 topps for sale in my 53 topps FS post in the BST

Beautiful Displays Chris!!!!

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Reading threads like this is dangerous: I ended up pulling the trigger on a 1952 Topps after reading it!



Bought the card, not the holder...

I've had this one for years:

I hate when that happens, NICE JOB!

[hammertime]

I agree his cards seem like bargains right now. Here are a couple I picked up recently.


I've also been doing a lot of reading and just finished his bio "Campy", written by Neil Lanctot (incidentally I'm currently reading his history of the negro leagues). Highly recommended.

[Yoda]

Growing up in the NYC area in the 50's, you had to identify with the Giants, Dodgers or Yanks. I was a Brooklyn boy. While there were intense, spirited and often heated arguments about CF and Willie, Duke and the Mick, there was
as well one concerning the best NY catcher, Yogi or Campy (Wes Westrum of the Giants didn't make the cut.). While I will always be a Campy man, I would reluctantly give the nod to Yogi based on the stats and his incredible WS record. Of course, Roy's accident makes any comparison difficult.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Big Red Machine

My favorite Campy.

Great image! I'm not familar with these postcards... just cruised by some of them on Ebay. All reasonably priced for some great images.

Any idea why so cheap? Just not in high demand?

thanks for the tip... I might snag one for my collection too!

Jeff

[tedzan]

I not familiar with todays Campy's rookie card cost. I acquired these two 1949 BOWMAN cards of him in 1991 for $100 and $200 (Slate version).

The Slate background version is quite tough to find, and usually sells for $400 - 500 (in Ex condition).


. .


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[h2oya311]

Well, I feel I should contribute since it was between this card and my Jennings for my avatar:



And here’s a photo that is as close as you can probably get to pre-war for Campy (1942)...although he did play a few years prior to that:

[Chris Counts]

I love those Hi-O Oatmeal records ...

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Definitely underappreciated, but since I'm down to only one or two Campy's, he can fly under the radar for awhile longer as far as I'm concerned.

At the risk of posting in the pre-war area and only because every thread deserves a pic, here's one that I love from 1953:

[Chris Counts]

I agree the prices are low. I felt that way about the 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson just a year ago. I think anything associated with the Negro Leagues is only going up.

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

With the possible exception of his 52 Topps high number, it appears to me that the values of Roy Campanella cards even his rookie are relatively low. Yet he's a three time MVP, and of course his career numbers don't include his playing days in the Negro Leagues that went all the way back to 1937 at age 15. And he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers who are, to say the least, among the most popular teams ever. So what gives here?

[JeremyW]

That '53 Bowman Campanella is one of the most appealing cards that I've seen in a while.