1919 World Series program project
 

Not too long ago I was fortunate enough to find a 1919 World Series program in the wild. Since then, I have been trying to figure out how many copies still exist, similar to the project being done with the first issue of Jefferson Burdick’s American Card Catalog.

Until yesterday I knew of four copies including mine but I saw that another one sold in the LOTG auction. I now have pictures of five copies and I believe there are probably less than 20 of these left in the world from such an iconic series in baseball history. Does anyone own one not pictured here ?

I have one.
 

I have one.

Hi Andy. Are you able to attach a photo here?

Program
 

I sold one in very nice shape in an REA auction about 16 years ago or so. Check the REA archives for a photo…… Rocky

I have had my eye on programs in general for along time and for a time I did collect WS programs. I put together a run of Yankee WS wins 1923 - 1978 both AL and NL and was working on every appearance but my heart wasn't into it so sold the lot. In my opinion there are at least a couple Hundred 1919 Reds version extant. Now many are in collections so dont come up very often. The Chicago version is much tougher.
Research in older collectors mags like SCD and Trader Speaks would help you along with Auction Catalogs. Internet can only take you so far.
Good luck with you quest. I can say from experience the more you put into it the more you will get.

I've seen at least a dozen others at auction over the years.... probably more like 15 or so. The trick is finding one with all pages still intact and no rips, tears, ink, or missing pieces. It's the inevitable fragility of the paper and resulting condition flaws that have kept me from ever picking one up.

Best of luck in your quest!

I have one as well which I bought on here about a year or so ago.

Here is mine.

I have one I bought some years ago.

They seem to come up often; readily available...likely dozens still exist...whereas the Chicago program is very rare, to my knowledge.

The @ Cleveland program is, in my opinion, the most common pre-1920s World Series program (although some Red Sox issues in 1910s are also relatively obtainable, notwithstanding Babe Ruth can increase demand for the 1915 & 1916 versions).

Not suggesting this is not a sought after item - just that, in relative terms, it is more common than for most pre-1920s World Series programs.

A reality is that more of the Cleveland program were likely kept because, aesthetically, it is a much more impressive item than the White Sox equivalent which was akin to a regular season program. If the Cleveland program was a less impressive item, fewer would undoubtedly have survived over the past century+.

Cleveland?

I think it is more common than you would think...I seem to always see several sell every year. Unless the same ones are constantly selling I'd guess 3-5 every year for the last 10-15 years maybe...Im just guessing but that is what I would bet on if I was a gambling man


Edd Roush's granddaughter tells a great story about when cleaning out Edd's stuff some time after he died she threw away a box full of them...

Wow!
 

Beautiful! Wow!

:eek:

Sorry - was in overdrive. Got the first letter right at least.

Ironically, the Cleveland World Series program from the following year falls somewhat into the White Sox 1919 category i.e. a standard regular season program rather than a more special production.

I'd love to see a reprint, or at least scans, of a 1919 White Sox World Series program. The Cincinnati program was reprinted by Robert Opie, and it's also included in the 1980 Dover book Souvenir programs of five great World Series, 1914, 1917, 1919, 1926, 1934 (where the copy used was sourced from an Opie reprint).

I got one. Do you know of a program top load that holds a 9x12 and/or how do you store yours?

Yes, they make the rigid ones in varying thicknesses and sizes. There is basically a standard magazine size (SI, Sport, and standard sized programs) and a larger size (Life Magazine, Look, etc.) Just go to ebay and you'll find what you need.