1914 Cracker Jack from REA Marketplace
 

Recently , I participated in last weekends REA auction and scored some nice items, which I will post here after they arrive.
The other day, REA sent me an email about their Marketplace that was now up and running. I’m assuming it’s items that did not sell, but you all would know that better than me. There were 5 Cracker Jack cards for sale…..all WWWAAAAYYYY out of my league…but one. And it was a 1914. With the pricing on 1914’s I’ve seen lately, I never thought I’d ever get one again as I have been buying 1915’s this new year. But there it was, staring me in the face. It also said you could make an offer, which I did, then a little back and forth for a couple of days. I finally accepted the offer tonight. First,I read a little on the internet about him and found him to be a really interesting playing with a 9 year major league career….which included playing for St Louis in the Federal League both years. So, I added Bob Groom , who pitched a no hitter on May 6, 1917 to my CJ collection . He rounds off the 1914 number of cards to 10( all the other 9 were bought years ago, Evers, McGraw ,etc). The 1915’s definitely outnumber the ‘14’s, but it was neat to add one more to that column.
And I’ve said this before, I love cards with character and this card has it in spades…..caramel stains, some previous owner writing the word “pitcher” below his picture,and then some light pencil writing on the back on the line between the bio info and the printing info.
I’d like to acquire some more 1914’s, but these opportunities at this price don’t seem to happen very much at all. Never say never……….
Also, as a teaser…..two of the items I won last week are 1915 cards and one I was searching for since last year. The other was , as we say here in South Texas, just plain “ pelon”.

Nice pickup! I've still never owned a Cracker Jack. If I get one it'd haaave to a be a 1914. Firs tissue, and the upside down back of the 1915s have always annoyed me. haha

Thank you…….like I said, the 1914’s are priced pretty high…maybe you’ll get lucky…I hope you do!

Lucio, the next time you hold a 1915 CJ, flip it from top to bottom, rather than rolling it over from side to side. You'll like it more!

And if you get a 1915 and scan it, make sure you rotate the back scan 180 degrees.

Brian

I love both versions….1914 and 1915, and with the ‘15’s , you may be able to afford to buy a few. They are one of the most beautiful card sets ever printed.
You can’t beat that red background…..especially with a like smudge of caramel on it!

Mike congrats on your Groom! There's something special about a beat up CJ where you know some kid took it out of a cracker jack box, brought it home from the ball park, wrote on it and then put it in his shoebox along with his yo-yo, pack of gum and decoder ring.

I'll add one of mine to the gallery.

Couldn’t agree more AJ
And the card you posted proves the point!

And using them in the construction of a pinwheel has always been a viable option.

Brian

at least the
 

mouse ate around the face

Nice! I purchased a few Cracker Jacks this weekend, enjoy

great sets to collect! even in Auth grade:)

Jimmy

Pete….I wouldn’t kick that Wagner out of the dugout!
Beautiful crisp color of what is left………nice!

Haha I knooowww, but I'm supposed to remember that eveerryy time? I dunno it's not a big deal, just something that bugs me a little bit.