[Michael Peich]

Hi, Al,

I think a book like the one you propose would be an invaluable aid for understanding Negro League and Cuban players and their baseball cards. I would suggest you compile a comprehensive volume including HOFers and non-HOF similar to the invaluable resource, The Photographic Baeball Cards of Goodwin & Company, compiled by Richard Masson, Jay Miller and Joe Gonsowski. By blending the players together you create an overarching totality of the players and their cards. And obviously, Cuban cards would be prominently featured in such a book.

At this point I would not be concerned with cost. Once a manuscript comes together you will have a much better sense of what it will cost to produce. And there are strategies you could use to cover some of the costs like subscriptions, for example.

One other thought is that you might wish to co-author it with one or two others who have knowledge similar to yours and who might provide relevant facts that would enrich the book.

As someone who has just now started to focus on Cuban cards, specifically Billiken, I welcome a book that would condense the rich history of Cuban and Negro League players and cards. I have had to move back and forth between Smoke, Garry, and a few others so I would welcome a condensed volume with everything I need for understanding the history, and having the checklists. And, as another consideration: Why not begin with a Cuban cards book, one that is more focused than Smoke with checklists and the critical apparatus you have suggested? Smoke has great photos and good information but I feel it could have provided more information.

Finally, coincidental with a book, create a website. Ryan Christoff's CubanBaseballCards.com is extremely helpful, but incomplete on some issues. You could flesh-out a collecting void with your own website.

I'll stop, but to echo the sentiments posted thus far, yours is a terrific proposal.

Warm regards,
Mike