Posted By:
Frank WakefieldHey there...
Have you considered trying for a Zeenut from each year of issue first? That way you can see/hold the progression... and you could then decide which year to work on if you like one set far and beyond the others.
Jim Horne published a plastic holder book about Zeenuts that would be of interest to you. I'd suggest trying to buy one of the old books, or at least trying to get a photocopy of it. Jim should get compensation for that, if he's still around.
Once you start looking at Zeenuts you'll want to get a book or two about the Pacific Coast League. There are several good ones. A doctor friend loaned me a books on tape version of one, and it was fantastic for me, bored my kids to tears once, though... I can't recall the name of it. Dennis Snelling's book, The Pacific Coast League, A Statistical History, 1903-1957 is nice. And there are others.
But be careful, the rascals are a bit addictive, and there are a zillion of them. Most of the Zeenuts that survived look well worn. Rough corners, folds, torn backs... some card collectors look at the drab cards of minor leaguers, cards in horrible shape, and they turn away. Collecting them is like discovering an extra room in an old house... "never knew about this, how could I have overlooked this??"
Good luck chasing them!
Frank.