Titus to Richie Allen Moustache Gap
 

I was blown away, well maybe just very surprised, at a post on social media that claimed there was not another baseball card between the T206 Titus and the 1971 Topps Richie Allen that displayed a moustache.

I've been going through my reference books, mostly the Frank Slocum giant-size tomes, and so far I can't find a card to dispute the claim!

Can this possibly be a fact?!?

I have this 1949-50 Toleteros card of Perucho Cepeda sporting one:

https://live.staticflickr.com/4373/3...c8191ac9_w.jpg

We had this chat many years back -

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=216571

Some interesting 'stash stats', lol

Apparently, everyone missed this 'Scooter'...

(and here's a proper emoji) Attachment 553369

Attachment 553367

... and if so, does it say more about Major League Baseball or about American society at large during the time period?

1969 Topps Al Oliver
 

Just saw Al Oliver's 1969 Topps RC offered as the record breaker. Unless it doesn't count because Rich Hebner shares it (the card, not the mustache), I'd say he is the new leader in the clubhouse. And as a rookie no less!

I'm not convinced he has a mustache in that picture. On his 1970 Topps card, there's similar evidence (by coloration) of a mustache on the right side, and on his 1971 Topps card, similar evidence of a mustache on the left side. I think the man just had a mustachioed-looking upper lip.

Did you know Groucho Marx didn't have a mustache in any of the Marx Brothers movies? It was just greasepaint. You'd think such a thing would be very noticeable, but I only learned last year.

I did know that about Groucho. You can tell in closer shots when he turns to the side and you see his profile. And then, once you've determined something strange is afoot, it's more noticeable throughout. I remember watching a bunch of Marx Brothers films back in 97 or so. And I think the mysterious non-mustache was one of the first things that prompted me to use those free trial AOL minutes to do an internet research deep-dive (another was the Pink FLoyd Dark Side of the Moon - Wizard of Oz connection).

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5...b9028f~mv2.jpg

Can't say ever saw one between 1906 Titus and 1971 Allen that I can recall. That is just crazy if there hasn't been one. I don't have a T206 Titus but I do have this:

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a5b5435f_h.jpgs-l1600 (42) by Todd Jenkins, on Flickr[/IMG]

It's a shame he doesn't have a card, but 1934 Senators pitcher Allen Benson sported a full beard. Talk about standing out in an era where facial hair was decidedly out of favor.

Love the Scooter but he needs to better maintain it

Although he did not have facial hair during his playing days, this 1967 Topps Who Am I? card depicts the disguise the Babe employed when he wanted to remain incognito while on late night escapades out and about on the town.

Brian (not my card, because I would not have been able to resist scratching it all off his face)

Not quite true. He certainly did not have a moustache in the earlier films

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...arx%20Bros.jpg

but did grow one in the 1940s:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ers%20Marx.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...utographed.jpg

And appeared with a genuine 'stache in the later (crappy) films

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/65/71...b3e92c5bb2.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...rouchoMarx.jpg

It just seems right to post this image; I'm surprised nobody has done so yet.

Interesting how on the very first postcard Adam listed, they misspelled the brothers name as Marks on the front, but then properly spelled it as Marx on the back. Definite off day for the quality control people that time.

That is from one of the rarest ESCO sets, a 1926 vaudeville and theatrical set. I don't even have a complete checklist and I've been researching it for years. The Marx Bros card is the only example I've found.

That is one cool card. Unbelievable how young they are.

One theory has it that WWI spelled the end of the facially hirsute. Army regs demanded a freshly shaven look even in the trenches. And then the societal changes in the roaring 20's reinforced the clean shaven look, which carried on for decades.

1961 Fleer Cap Anson and Kid Nichols both had mustaches.

https://i.psacard.com/cardfacts/1961...0205.jpg?h=600https://i.psacard.com/cardfacts/1961...0330.jpg?h=600

Love me a nice stache

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3b065255_b.jpg

Breathtaking

Finally Found It 1948 Leaf Larry Jansen
 

For three weeks I have been trying to think of this card. It may not be a great mustache but it’s clearly a mustache

Mike drop on that Leaf! Way to reach back in your memory.

As for army regs in WWI, my understanding is that fascial hair prevented gas masks from properly sealing around the face. So the less facial hair the better.

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