1914 Cracker Jack Vs 1915 Cracker Jack single
 

I'm contemplating a purchase of a Heinie Zimmerman Cracker Jack card. There is a PSA 5 1915 available for $800, and a 1914 PSA 4 for $1300. I know there have been posts discussing the two sets, but what is the opinion on singles? Is it worth the extra $500 to buy a '14 single a grade lower.

Some say there are fewer 1914s.

Both are really good looking cards...my preference is for the 1914 since as we all know by now 1915s are glorified reprints :)

Dean's is know to have higher prices and you may get one cheaper if you can wait at auction.

That same 1914 card sold for $261.60 in 2017, $539.99 in 2018 and $930 in 2022.

Good luck on whichever one you choose.

Those numbers seem reasonable. I don't know anything about Zimmerman, specifically, but 14's trade for significantly more than 15's. If it's asset appreciation you want, the 14's may benefit from their relative scarcity, but eye appeal will always be rewarded. Since it's going into your collection, buy whichever one looks best to you. Some caramel residue will be forgiven by the market and good centering with ample borders will always correlate with the highest values. Bottom line: if one has a solid edge in eye appeal, buy it.

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1914 beats 1915 all day. I would pay more for the lower grade 1914, provided they both look decent. I agree with the post above that eye appeal is most/very important.

Thanks for all the good feedback.

I would rather have a Cracker Jack with a little staining, in unimportant places, than one without. Good luck whichever way you go.

Opinion
 

If and I say IF they are the ones on eBay, I like the 1915 due to better centering and color. Just my thought…… Rocky

I'm positive it's that one.

Dean's has both the 1914 and 1915 listed so when you factor in the discount from buying off their site the years, grades, prices all matchup.

PSA has graded five 1914 4's: one hasn't been sold publicly in close to 15 years, one has never been sold publicly, Dean's owns the third, the fourth and fifth ones are owned by board members (who are not likely selling unless they have upgraded).

As a 14 collector I'm a little biased, but if you're looking to buy just a single card of Zimmerman I say get the best looking one at the lowest cost you can find (which will most likely be a 15). No difference in cards except 144 v 176 on back.

Yes, I am referring to the cards on Dean's. Nice job researching however !

Heinie Zimmerman Cracker Jack card
 

hey Tom! if you go the 1915 route i've got a spare SGC 2.5 lying about here, nice and clean front, nicely centered, two paper loss spots on the white on the back. PM sent. Cliff

And the annoying "text is upside down" orientation of the backs on the 1915 cards...what were the Cracker Jack folks thinking?

I still prefer the 1915 cards because the lower condition ones, over my time in the hobby, have generally been cheaper than their 1914 counterparts, which of course qualifies me as a cheap-ass collector.


Brian

I think this was done so when you taped the card into the Cracker Jack album along the top edge of the card, you could flip the card up and read the back right side up.

(if you were being facetious, just ignore my reply)

In 1915 Cracker Jack issued an album that you could send away for using 50 coupons or 1 coupon + 10 cents. The album allowed you to tuck each card into spacers at the top so that you could then flip the card to read the back. Having the text upside down allowed you to read the text right side up once you flipped the card. (read 2nd paragraph on card back)Attachment 637717

Thanks for all the solid feedback. I found a great deal here on the forum. Love this place.