Your most underappreciated cards (to outsiders)

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Posted By: Joann

Do you guys show your cards to non-collectors often? I do, and while people's eyes always light up at the Ruth and Cobbs, for the most part it's hard for me to explain to them why some cards are so cool and why I like them so much.

Here are the most underappreciated cards in my collection - the ones that I really like but can tell that the non-collector is looking at politely, wondering if I am going to break out any more Cobbs or Ruths.







It doesn't seem to matter that a card is hard to find, unusual, old (although people do seem to wake up for a few moments at anything 19th Century) or even another HOF'er like Matty.

Some of you guys must experience this much worse than I do b/c you have cards that are a lot more expensive and rare and even obscure.

What card do you have that's the most underappreciated by non-hobbyists?

J

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I would say all of my cards fall in that category. I've not shown my collection to a lot of people, but most people I've shown them to just get a glassy look in their eyes. The only people that seem to appreciate my love are right here in this forum. I've even tried to impress people with "These Old Judge cards are 120 years old"...still I get nothing.

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Posted By: Jim VB

Nice to have a card related topic. Thanks Joann.

I show these all the time. There is seldom conversation about them because no one knows much about them, they are incredibly rare, and not widely collected.

These were a mail in card, issued by the NY Giants in 1932. Most collectors know the Hubbell because it was either over printed or reprinted in the period. Hubbell was available on thick stock (very rare) or thin stock (pretty common.) He was the most popular player on these Giants and his thin stock version is certainly a common. All other players are thick stock only.

I started with 18 of the 22 cards courtesy of my Dad. I have spent many years searching and have picked up only 4 dupes, but still am missing 4 from the original set. (Missing Allen, Bell, Healey and Leslie.)

If anyone ever sees any, at a show, on auction, in a shop, I'm a buyer!

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Posted By: John

Great post, I had this same experience yesterday I was showing a person some cards. Eyes all bright on Cobb and Ruth..but these were at best.."Oh that's neat"

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Posted By: leon

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Posted By: John

Ouch Leon...

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Posted By: Joann

Gah! Look at those great cards. This is exactly what I meant, but my examples are so minimal by comparison to what you guys have posted. I cannot imagine getting a blank stare from someone looking at these cards. I'd be ready to club them with it.

J

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Posted By: fkw

This card, Its a Ruth and Very Tough (only cataloged about 3-4 years ago), Most noncollectors and even some vintage guys dont get "W" cards (some are very tough especially when compared to the super common Goudey and T206 cards).

Try to find another beside that one thats always in the BIN on eBay. Ive only seen 4 in last 27+ years


W519-2-2 Babe Ruth
AKA The "Fireworks Background" Ruth



BTW its for sale

P.S. Jim, that must have been some time collecting those Giants Postcards, They are super super tough! (except Hubbell)

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Posted By: Paul Carek

Great topic, and terrific cards, everyone.

Jim, do you know what ballpark the Giants were photographed in?

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Posted By: Jason Carota

This one always gets the polite smile, as the eyes wander to something else :

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Leon....no comment on that BG.

Wonka, a T207 Lowermilk in PSA 5 is hardly underappreciated.

Frank, that Ruth is probably underappreciated -- but an incredible card nonetheless.

As for my underappreciated cards, basically anything I sell on ebay is my answer.

My underappreciated card:

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Posted By: Phil Garry

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Posted By: JDRUM

This one usually elicits responses like, "What is that a hankerchief, a pillowcase?"

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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

What's this? Cards?

In my card room, I have shelves of HOFers on display, all in SGC holders. When noncollectors come in, the first thing they look at is what's printed on the flips - they see the ages of the cards, which impresses them. They see names like Ruth and Cobb, and that impresses them as well.

Next to my HOFers is a shelf containing various items from New Jersey baseball history. Various team postcards and cabinets, an autographed ball, some wire photos of Walter Johnson and Tris Speaker, some New Jersey baseball cards. I love that stuff. Nobody else seems to care.

-Al

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Posted By: Jim VB

fkw,

Most of the work wasn't mine. It was my Dad who was a 16 year old New Yorker at the time. He must have done the writing away with the SASE for every player. He always thought he had them all. Back in the 80's, I did a little asking around and was told the set was complete at 18. So I stopped looking. For years. About 2 years ago, I pulled them out again and found that SCD had finally cataloged them at 22 cards in the set. Asked a few questions and Robert Lifson emails me and says he sold an 18 card lot back in 2005. That had the 4 I was missing. (Or course, I have 4 that lot was missing.) A few people have said they used to have a set, or they had seen a set, etc., but nobody seems to have any now. (Not totally true. I talked to Lew Lipset about a year ago. He has a near set, also.) The search goes on.

Paul,

Great question! I've never really thought about it until now. Clearly not the Polo Grounds (Palm trees were the tip off.) I guess Spring training. Where did the Giants train back in 1932?


Joann,

Notice how deferrential the Giants were back then. Ladies free on Fridays! What a deal!

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Posted By: steve

... of swimming ! This is my oldest Johnny Weissmuller card. I have been a competitive swimmer most of my life - competed in Masters Nationals last summer - did my best time in 50M Fly in 4 years (29.70) and my best 50M Back time in 6 years (32.59).

By the way, I am 43 - what's this about over the hill?

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Posted By: Tim

People look at this card, squint to read the names, and after not recognizing any they move on.

[IMG][/IMG]

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Posted By: Dave F

To most, here is a peice of crap. But I've been after a Hollands for quite some time and was very happy to find in this grade which is tough. I believe you'd find 50 to every 1 person that would light up quicker looking at a '86 Topps Wade Boggs as opposed to this one.

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Posted By: Jamie

I know it isn't a "vintage" card, but I have to go with the 1983 Topps Stickers of Wade Boggs. '83 was my first year collecting, and I remember those stickers. I stuck them over everything, especially my school binders and card binders. I really liked those stickers. So now I've got the Wade Boggs one, and it is totally underappreciated - TOTALLY.

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Posted By: Joe D.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Joe, I can confirm that your clown is NOT underappreciated. Could not possibly be underappreciated.

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Posted By: Joe D.

jeff... the envy that has filled your subconscious leads you to say such things.

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Posted By: Paul

This one.




Followed by most Negro League Hall of Famers and my W600 Hugh Jennings.

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Posted By: Cat

[IMG][/IMG]

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Posted By: Ken Wirt

Everyone I have shown this to has commented, "That's not much of a card?"




And then they say about this one, "He looks like a clown!"




Great thread, Joann!

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Posted By: David McDonald

These are the saddest of possible words: "Steinfeldt to Evers to Chance."


Bare-knuckled it with Ty Cobb.


What'chu pointin' at, Ruth?


Lost his job to a guy named Gehrig.

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Posted By: Frank B

Good for a "who's he?" on the front
and a blank stare on the back.

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Posted By: T206Collector

...your collection of 30+ signed T206 cards and then explain to your guest why you even collect the unsigned ones. That's a tough sell.




_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Visithttp://www.t206collector.com for Net54 T206 archive, signed deadball card galleries, articles and more!

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Posted By: Steve Murray

Collecting is so personal that I don't even bother to show cards to friends outside of the collecting community. I just figure they'd think "poor old man, living in the past, so sad".

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Posted By: Rawn Hill

I've never shown the entire collection to anyone. I've not found anyone interested in my area including relatives of Carrigan.

Rawn

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

I hear you, Steve. I try my best to refrain from sharing any new stories with hobby outsiders. The thing that gets me are the yawns I receive in response to explaining to most people how I've just managed to track down a living player who has been missing for forty years. Nobody else could find him in all that time! YAAAAAWWWWNN.

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Posted By: Michaeel

That Baker silk makes me drool. So very very very cool. I would love to have one.

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

here is my fav that noone could giva hootenanny about.

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Posted By: Eric Brehm

Years ago I had a beautiful 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth red background that I showed around at a party. The card was in a plastic screwdown holder (no grading in those days), and after folks had seen it, I put the card down on a coffee table in the living room, in case anyone wanted to look at it some more. One fellow, who earlier had commented on how nice the card was, decided that the holder would serve quite well as a coaster, and put his icy drink down on it. To protect the table from getting wet, of course.

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Posted By: Phil Garry

Cat:

I would appreciate the Ruffing card if you let me take it off your hands.........

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Posted By: Tyler

Under appreciated until they ask how much I spent on that piece of cardboard. Then they just shake their heads and tell me I am an idiot. I know, nice friends, huh?

I guess alot of you share in my frustration. I suppose that is what the pickup threads are for...sharing with folks who just might give a damn.

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Posted By: E, Daniel

Who amongst his most recent spew filled unsolicited emails asked me why I'd bother to travel to the National to add SGC10 and PSA1 cards to my collection.........goes to show even so-called collectors can underappreciate cards!





of course, the last bad boy card would go completely over Greg's head, but I'm sure someone else here will appreciate it.

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Posted By: leon

Congratulations. You had almost 1 entire post without any negativity. Good work my friend. Pretty soon you might even have something constructive to say, though I am not holding my breath.

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Posted By: Joe D.

E. Daniel -

I love that gehrig. great card.

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Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

I'm with Steve on this one. I don't offer up my cards to folks that are outside the collecting community. I have done it in the past but could see they simply did not have the passion that I have for them. If they ask I will certainly share but I tend to babble on about cards that they could care less about..

marty

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Posted By: E, Daniel

Thanks for that Leon.....nice to find out so bluntly what you think of my contribution to the board.

Maybe it was my support for Joanne and fairly common belief that M Barkmann had not improved the board much that has moved you so?
Or is it personal?

I remember not all that long ago you agreeing with me on a number of posts and thoughts, or at least saying that I had posed my ideas ('as usual' were your words) in a constructive and well composed fashion....

Wow, times have changed.


All the best to you too I guess...

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Posted By: Donavon Arabie

After I get past the "Who's that?" question, I always get "Well...it's just a 5." No respect I tell ya.

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Posted By: Mark L

I'm curious to know what would impress most non-collectors, aside from a Wagner or a Ruth, each of which is likely to be considered very expensive even to the uninitiated.

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Posted By: Jerry Spillman

Showing baseball cards to non-collectors is usually a waste of time.

Generally it goes:

Here's a Lou Gehrig card from 1934.

Oh! I heard of him. How much is it worth?

A couple of hundred dollars.

WOW! That's a lot - why don't you sell it?

Only the cabinet size cards receive surprise reactions because they never knew that baseball cards were made that big.



However sometime there is an advantage to this show & tell. Someone will say I know of a person that has a large collection cards. I'll let him know that you collect them.

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Who of us haven't shown a few cards to someone who'd asked to see them, then their 10 second attention span ended and they care not about our cards???

So I understand why some folks don't bother to show cards to the uninitiated.

Showing cards to someone who won't appreciate them reminds me of an occasionally heard saying around these parts... "It's like teaching a pig to sing, it's a waste of time, and annoys hell outa the pig."

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Posted By: dennis

non collectors,just show them the mantles, aarons and mays. it's all about the nostalgia.

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Posted By: Bob Manning

A Giant. Reliever...especially great in the last of the Ninth:

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Posted By: boxingcardman

Great cards, all.

I agree that it is often a waste of time to share with outsiders since about all they are impressed with is value.

Below is one of my most underappreciated cards. A PCL card that was given out at personal appearances of the player on behalf of a haberdashry. Every card was autographed. Very rare, very obscure as a result.



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