1908-09 Rose Company Post Cards - Let's see'em
 

From Sports Collector Daily (link to balance of article is below):

1908-09 Rose Company Postcard Basics
The 1908-09 Rose Company set is one of the largest postcard issues produced in the pre-war era. While many sets featured generic subjects, this release is heavily sought after because it features real players.

The postcards have a pleasing design. A round black and white headshot of a player is the feature here, placed near the middle of the postcard along with his name and team. The background is a playing field and, as a result, primarily green. Generic baseball players are displayed at the bottom and a crossed bat and ball design is included on every postcard around the player’s headshot. The postcard, minus the individual player picture, is embossed, presenting a 3D feel.

Backs of the postcards were much simpler than the front with only a simple divider line, a place for a stamp, and the Rose Company logo, a fancy ‘TRC’, which can also be found on some of their other sets. The postcards were approximately 3 1/2″ wide x 5 1/2″ tall, a standard size for postcard issues.

Link to article: https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...postcards-set/

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful baseball issue. Post'em if you got'em

WOW, THE MINI-HONUS MUST BE DOUBLE RARE!!!

Kidding, those are beautiful, as usual man.

Tougher HOFer...

Easier HOFer....

Glade and Stahl
 

I'm more into the obscure guys. They only appear as NYAL in the Rose PCs. Anybody have Harry Niles? (just a little begging...)

Here is Niles.

Here is a Walter Johnson. To follow Scott's descriptions, he is a "medium tough" Hall of Famer with three or four known copies. If you consider postcards as being an actual card, then this is his rookie "card."

Nevertheless, I love the Horner portrait of Johnson in his black uniform with upturned collar.

I agree with Ryan and consider the Rose Co. postcards one of the most attractive issues ever produced.

The "main" set was initially issued in 1908 and consists of 192 cards - 12 players for each of the 16 teams. In nearly every case, each team is represented by 4 pitchers and 8 field players. Virtually every established star of the day was included in the set. There were a few additions made after the initial 192 subjects were produced.

There was also a set of 14 Scranton players which includes Moonlight Graham.

Jerry Spillman has written a couple of excellent articles on the set that have been published in both SCD and Beckett's Vintage Collector.

https://i152.photobucket.com/albums/...lankRosePC.jpg https://i152.photobucket.com/albums/...psrhamzqce.jpg https://i152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps24d98cb2.jpg

George Gibson
 

My only Rose Company Postcard, George Gibson.

Patrick

Wow, keep’em coming! A WaJo, Matty, Keeler, Waddell... awesome

Gorgeous Rose WaJo, undoubtedly the nicest condition out there. Do you know if Ron Menchine's, which was featured in his baseball postcard book, ever came out after he passed away in 2010. REA did several auctions of his amazing collection, but I don't remember if his Rose WaJo was included.

Menchine's Walter Johnson has never turned up. That is why I said that "three or four known copies." If Mechenine's shows up, then that will be the fourth. If not, I only know of three.

No one knows what happened to it, or to a couple other of his postcards. It is believed that it may have been accidentally thrown out by the family after he passed.

Here is a very difficult HOFer - Cy Young. Given his popularity in 1908, you would think that fans of the day would have purchased more of his postcard, especially considering there were not any other notable stars on the team.

It makes sense why some of the obscure players only have one or two known copies, but the great Cy Young?

I missed out (by seconds) on the Rose Co Moonlight Graham that was listed on BST a few years ago. I am still kicking myself for being slow. I would love to see that posted here.

We have a Wagner, Cobb, Wajo, Matty, Young, Plank, Keeler, Waddell, Joss, Crawford, J Collins..... We may be able to put together a virtual HOF set here.

So, if a "medium tough" HOFer has 3-4 known Rose Postcards, how many does a "common" HOFer have?

Here's a Chance too that's no longer mine but I still had a scan.

https://i152.photobucket.com/albums/...rankChance.jpg

Some of the easier Hall of Famers are Chance, Cobb, Lajoie, Plank and Wagner. I am aware of between 6 to 8 of each of these players.

Here are (9) of the PC760's that my friend Michael Brockman had in his collection when he recently passed. Not great photos but thought I'd post them.


https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28489

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28488

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28487

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28486

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28485

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28484

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28483

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28482

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=28481

This thread is really getting some momentum and its very educating. Rose Postcards are off the charts cool.

Kevin, thanks for the information. I knew Rose Postcards were tough, but had no idea there were only 6-8 each of the more common HOFers. No wonder why I still don't have any in my collection.

Here is my only one from my type set:

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...e-co.-postcard

It would be neat if we could make a virtual set of these like the T206 commons thread did earlier.

If you like a good mystery (now solved). Read up on the Springfield Roses which were found.

http://www.vintageball.com/Rose2.html

McGinnity
 

I have one HOFer to contribute.

Here is a Moonlight Graham.

A couple more
 

Here is Eddie Grant and also a blank example

I have one, George Stone.

Thanks Kevin. That Graham is so cool.

My type card is this "common":

Some Springfield Rose Postcards. Its the unoffical set, not made at the factory.

Nice Springfield postcards. Although not issued by The Rose Co., they are certainly intriguing. I would love to see any other handmade examples that the teams or their fans created on their own.

Here is one that you do not see too often. I believe that it is the only one that either SGC or PSA has graded.

Awesome PC Kevin. A true rarity indeed.

My only one currently.

https://luckeycards.com/ppc760rosegenericbaseball.jpg

Looking at both pop reports I only see the Cy Young pictured in this thread. Is that the one that Legendary sold raw in 2004? Anyone know of any raw other Youngs? May have a big announcement shortly! :D

No, those are not the same card.

I am only aware of two Young postcards - the SGC 5 and the raw one. Young is a very difficult card to fInd.

Don’t mind if I do :)

Hemphill
 

Here is another NYAL

Thrilled to announce we just signed the contract on 6 new to the hobby, postally unused Rose Co. Postcards.

Christy Mathewson,
Al Bridwell,
Al Schweitzer,
Rebel Oakes,
Admiral Schlei
and only the third known example of Cy Young!

We will have these at Chantilly in July and the National where we will get the Mathewson and Young graded!

Congratulations Scott! Looking forward to seeing them.
As long as were posting RPC's.
_

Commons to follow

Damn!

Beautiful. Congratulations!

Thanks Kevin. Pretty cool feeling to have something this special. Not even talking about the dollar value, just the fact that these are new to the hobby and, especially the Young, virtually never sold.

Congrats Scott, you deserve a consignment like this, something about NTTH makes them even more special. And thanks to the consignor too. I'm sure the Ryan Express will be on a fast track for these cards.

Why do the Young and Mathewson not have the city and league printed after the name? Is this a variation in an already rare set?

Yes, the second printing of the cards omitted the team and league. The font is also different than the original cards.

When was the second printing Kevin?

Not sure exactly. Of the few “name only” cards that exist, the earliest postmark that I have seen is 1909.

The “main” set of 192 Major Leaguers (12 players for each of the 16 teams) was definitely in production in August of 1908.

Thanks, such an interesting set.