Cards As Art - Post Some (Pre or Post War)
 

I was looking at some cards of HOFers today, and one really rose above the others; its image struck me like a piece of art. I think cards are not unlike art in general, but the colors of this piece, the way the eyes have such personality, it's just not your average baseball card.

So it got me wondering: what other cards do we have of HOFers, that we feel are in this rarefied class-- that strike us as art, are beautiful on an aesthetic level, but also capture the essence/personality of the player?

I'm betting this will be a great way to get put onto some new cards I haven't seen or paid adequate attention to thus far. This was the image that did it for me.

It was actually the first Pre War card I ever purchased, because the image made such an indelible impression on me years ago, when I first laid eyes on it. I knew little about Cobb beyond his hitting prowess, and knew nothing about the issue-- other than it was striking and I felt compelled to own one.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...1-d304-ty-cobb

Matt- as you might know, that is the card that was on our first Net54baseball t shirts. That tells you how I feel about it. I think a lot, if not most of us, think of our cards as little works of art. And even though this one is black and white and a photo, it is art to me....

http://luckeycards.com/pd381wagner.jpg

I never get tired if that one Leon.... Great card. The image in my avatar is one of my faves as well.

Did not know that about the D304 on the shirts. Cool bit of net54 trivia.

Love these images. Mathewson has several examples that come to mind as art. Hope to see a bunch on this thread. A card of his is high on my list.

This one for me.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps5c586a99.jpg

These are two that epitomize "art on cardboard" to me, both commonly seen, but both worthy of mention.

The Mathewson's yellow and blue background shows the beauty of the lithography from the time period, while somehow capturing the grace and dignity of "the Christian Gentleman". (card shown is an E92, but the image exists in other E sets)

The Speaker is one of many pieces of art from the T3 Turkey Red set, showing Tris in mid-swing, most likely ready to unleash one of his 792 career doubles (yep, I looked it up! ;) ). It's a still image, but you can imagine the fluidity and motion of the swing. The intensity in Speaker's face, the ripples in his uniform, and the red socks all come together to form a piece of art on cardboard.

Always loved Matty's look in this pose. Never thought the T206 white cap (looks boyish) captured Matty's focus like the dark cap... and then the E93adds some fire to it.
Attachment 129570Attachment 129572

Also really like the E95 Wagner. It has a certain poignancy to it.. maybe a more elegant 1909 equivalent to the 1973 Topps Clemente.
Attachment 129578

I have said it before. This is a work of art.

The Tris and that red Matty are really powerful images. The T206 dark cap image is beautiful, one of my favorites in the hobby.

That Tris image is mesmerizing, really. Looks like it could come to life if you stare too long. Then again...pot.
I think the Tip Top Wagner has such a haunting aspect to it, worth a mention.

For Ruth, that 144 has an almost ethereal quality to the uniform. I believe his rookie photo captures his essence the best-- the killer instinct competitive glare is awesome on the RC. Other Ruths just don't show that side of him.

not my card but ill have one of these eventually

http://caimages.collectors.com/psace..._1052x1600.jpg

That Speaker pops! I think I might have found one of my favorite cards/artwork!

hand colored masterpiece.

That Cobb is great. I would love to know what he was grinning about.

One of my all time favorite shots that is no doubt art in my opinion...

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgall...lle40front.jpg

I agree. That would make a good poster.

One of my favorite sets:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3db92668.jpg


And my favorite pose of all time:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...djams/Cobb.jpg

Literally.

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1390315651

I'm not sure if I've ever seen that sporting life advertisement trade card?? Cool!!

For me, these two are like walking through a mall and gawking at Starving Artist oils.; I realize I'm not at The Louvre, but damn, I can't pull myself away.

The Anson is awesome. Probably one of my favorite cards. It's been on my list of must haves for a while now.

This is actually what I love about T206's, is that just about the whole set (minus a few) really presents as little pieces of art to me. Not just the HOF'ers, but even the commons. The artwork, especially being from 1909-1911 is truly amazing!

Sincerely, Clayton

Chuck beat me to the punch on the Matty, so my next favorite piece of art is the classic Oakes image of him leaping out of the card!

No Doubt about it...
 

The baseball card is its own medium within the art world.
My all time fave is the T206 Lajoei with bat....to such an extent I devoted a page on my website to that card. For me, that one sums up an entire era. I also started a thread on this Board several years ago that ran for a while on the T206 sunsets...fanastic artistic images in so many pre-war card sets...

http://www.thetriple-l.com/themythicalrelic.htm

I think the artistic side of the cards is what attracts me. Here are a few.

these aint baseball but.......
 

these aint baseball but had a board member send these to my daughter Ruthie.....we both love em and I think these exhibits are like artwork

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ca0f556.jpg

Some aesthetic favorites…
JimB


http://photos.imageevent.com/jimblum...Leach.psa9.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/jimblum...5%20Gibson.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/jimblum...20SGC%2070.jpghttp://photos.imageevent.com/jimblum...20SGC%2080.jpg

The backgrounds on some of these cards are stunning.

That Oakes and Leach are outstanding pieces. Outstanding. Now I'm going to have to hunt down an Oakes for myself. What a special looking card!

You are like I was several years ago. You see cards and think you just have to have one :). The Oakes is a great pose.

I can't resist.:D

David, that Mona Lisa looks trimmed.


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No way man, that bitch is professionally graded!:)

No Cards to Post, But...
 

First off love the topic. I myself went to college to study Graphic Design so I love art and always loved the designs of baseball cards. I have found a bunch of the old school cards that have caught my eye along with many other people. The one set that sticks out is the 1938 Goudey Set. Cartoon-ish but yet the face has the realistic look to it. Then hey who doesn't love the design of the 1934 Goudey Gehrig??? These are yes two of the seats I personally collect but hey come on now who can't agree with me.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...21iRejNX2YABVQ

http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/131/44379.jpg

Welcome to the club, my friend, welcome to the club. :) (thanks, btw)

^^^ That's a cool little tribute there to a great card. :cool:

I think that's how I built the majority of my collection, and what a great way to collect! Some cards just grab you, and you add it to the watchlist.

I was also turned onto the Oakes card by this very forum years ago (the old style Net54), and I was turned onto the '33 Goudey Gehringer by the CU forum when someone posted one there years ago.

Here's a few more...

T216 Tris Speaker (see also E90-1, which is also fairly tough to find)
E92 Sherry Magee (almost on par with the Rebel Oakes card)
'41 Play Ball DiMaggio
'49 Leaf Musial
'33 Goudey Gehringer
N43 Buck Ewing -- doesn't get much better!

Here are some through the years

One of my favorites.

Not a HOF'er but
 

I love the colors in this one...may be my favorite card aesthetically speaking

Couple more.

Artist behind the portrait
 

Gerry Dvorak the artist for Topps. I met him when he lived in Old Bridge NJ back in the early 1980's and got his autograph something to have with my 1953 Eddie Mathews

Great theme. I love the sky behind Germany Schaefer. I remember when I saw the Jones back in the 80's and couldn't buy him fast enough. The grade came much later. The Murads are an interesting set. Not your normal selection of colors.

Attachment 129692

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I truly enjoy staring at this 1911 Baseball Bats card - love the colors which surround the b & w image of WaJo!
Val

Some of my favorite pieces of art!

Lajoie and his ubiquitous nonchalant catch pose.


http://luckeycards.com/pe105lajoie.jpg

"Commonly" overlooked. Al Bridwell. It's got everything--design, action, detail (fielding glove in back pocket), color (the bright white against salmon grandstand), and more.

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1390365122

Ignorant tool of the masses
 

Catcher as art...love what the artist did with the original photo (see Tools of Ignorance thread for the Worch Cigar card with this image).

Brian

Couple of raw cards to add.....

Sincerely, Clayton

Cobb stealing third
 

another favorite.. and one of the most classic pre-war action photos ever.
Attachment 129725