[Anthony S.]

$1673 (including buyers premium)



From Old Cardboards most recent email newsletter:

2. New Player Discovered for Obscure "Blue Caption" Set


The card of N. Y. Giants short stop Al Bridwell has been discovered from a set that is not widely known among even the most seasoned vintage collectors.

The Bridwell card along with another from the set featuring Giants teammate Moose McCormick sold earlier this month in an auction held by Heritage Auctions. The Bridwell card is unique and not previously known to the hobby; another example of the McCormick card from the set has been previously reported.

Counting the Bridwell card, there are still only four known players represented in the set checklist.

The cards are similar in size and format with other candy and tobacco cards of the period. With their captions printed in blue ink, the cards are remarkably similar to cards from the E104 Nadja Caramel set produced in 1910. Important differences, however, distinguish the cards from this set, sometimes referred to as "Blue Captions" for obvious reasons.

While the E104 Nadja cards all feature chest-up poses, the few known examples of the "Blue Captions" set (except for Bridwell) feature action poses. In addition, the captions on the "Blue Captions" cards are all printed using upper/lower case lettering, while the Nadja cards are printed in all upper case letters. The captions on cards in both sets include the player last name and team.


The sponsor and method of distribution for the "Blue Caption" cards remains unknown. They are printed on thick card stock, indicating they may have been cut from a candy box or possibly from a notebook cover.

The two examples in the Heritage auctions were graded by SGC and designated as "E-UNC" cards, suggesting they were distributed by an early gum or candy manufacturer. From the few examples known today, however, we can only speculate now as to their origins. All known examples have blank backs.

Counting this recent discovery, only six examples from the Blue Caption set (representing four different players) have been reported by today's collectors. The two other players are Giants center fielder Bill O'Hara and Pittsburg's famous short stop Honus Wagner--the only Hall of Fame player known to the set. Two of Wagner's cards have been reported.

Based on the team affiliations of the four known players, it appears that the cards were produced in 1909. All four played for the teams named on the cards in 1909. O'Hara only played for the Giants for one year (1909), and neither he nor McCormick were on the Giants roster in 1910.

The Bridwell card sold in the recent Heritage auction for $1,673 (including buyer's premium); the McCormick card sold for $717.

A "Blue Caption" Set Profile, including a checklist and gallery of all known cards, has been added to the Old Cardboard website.