Ok, type collectors, wow me with your Texas Tommy E224s

[the 'stache]

As I have begun working my way through older issues of Old Cardboard, I am finding articles about sets that I know little to nothing about, and my imagination is captured all over again. In the spring 2006 issue, there is an article about the E224s, known as the Texas Tommy set. These little beauties have one hell of a checklist across their two "types". The fifty-one card "type 1" set includes Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Hal Chase, Tris Speaker, Honus Wagner, Nap Lajoie, Ed Walsh, Zach Wheat and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, among others. The fifteen card blank back "type 2" set includes Rube Marquard, Smoky Joe Wood and Harry Hooper.

I know these things are incredibly rare, but I'm betting that some of our type collectors have a few of these between them. So, if you do, please share your cards, and if you feel comfortable in doing so, the stories on how you acquired them.

I'm most curious about the Jackson card. As far as sheer scarcity is concerned, where does this fall within the small number of cards issued during his career?

[Leon]

They are scarce.....

[Paul S]

Trucker Boy?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Trucker Boy?

No, there were 5 in that group (1 was uncatalogued). I already had a Johnson so sold them or traded them all. Then I traded my WOJO in a big trade and replaced it with the Mack. The Mack is fairly low grade but HOF'ers are tough and I do like the portrait pose..

[EGreenwood]

I would love to pick up the Stanage for my type collection - if it ever comes up. I take it even a beater would set me back quite a bit.

[Stonepony]

image.jpg

[uffda51]

[MMarvelli]

T224-1 Stahl, Jake F-only.jpg

[the 'stache]

Wow, they really are scarce. Beautiful cards, guys. I'm going to be actively watching for these to come up now.

I did have a question about them. I'm wondering why the majority of the type 1s have a full background image (the park, the skyline, etc), yet a few of them, the Shoeless Joe included, do not. It's as if he were cut out of a larger picture, and the rest of the "background" is blank.

[Vintagecatcher]

Dave,


Thanks for sharing the Archer. Nice card. One I have never seen before.

I have, however, seen a beat up Chief Meyers Texas Tommy previously.


Patrick

[Bridwell]

I bought a Harry Lord in REA. It was probably Bruce's at one time. It is now in a SGC 30 holder.

[ValKehl]

My only E224 is in poor condition. But, it is special to me because I obtained it from Walter Johnson's grandson many years ago. Thanks again Hank!
Val

[4815162342]

Val, that is a fantastic card. Thanks for sharing.

[Hankphenom]

It couldn't be in a better place, Val.

[the 'stache]

Val, that's a great card. Thanks for sharing it!

[ValKehl]

Daryl, Hank, & Bill - Many thanks for your kind words!
Best,
Val

[yanksfan09]

Amazing cards everyone. What a beautiful set.

[Leon]

Note how many E224-2s are shown. They are really scarce...

[the 'stache]

Leon, do you or any of the other E224 owners have an explanation or educated guess as to why a few of the cards in the set have no backgrounds? Typically, when I've seen cards with large areas "airbrushed out", so to speak, it's been because a player depicted did not authorize the use of their likeness in that particular product. Or, another company held exclusive rights to the player.

Here's the Shoeless Joe Jackson type-1 (image from Beckett):



According to the article in Old Cardboard (issue #7), only Jackson, Jack Coombs and Tris Speaker exhibit this anomaly from the fifty-one known issued cards in the type-1 set. In fifteen card type-2 set, Walter Johnson, Rube Marquard and Honus Wagner (and possibly Connie Mack--no picture of the card was available for the publication, and I cannot find one on Google) exhibit this same lack of a background.

If it were for artistic reasons, one would almost certainly expect to see more than three out of over fifty examples depicted in this manner.

[T206Collector]

The coolest thing about that Hooper is the autograph!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The coolest thing about that Hooper is the autograph!

Thanks T206....and as you know it has a cert with it, not that that matters a lot. I got it as a type card I needed. The auto is a plus.

And Bill, no idea on the backgrounds. My friend John Esch's article on them is the most comprehensive article I am aware of, though VCBC probably had one or two also. The answer might be in one of those places or it might be blowin' in the wind .