PC770 1908 American League Publishing Postcard HELP

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Posted By: Jimi

Hey all,

I just got to my parents today for a little firework action and my parents hand over a baseball postcard that they received from a friend that thought I'd like it. Duh! It ended up being an 1908 PC770 American League Publishing Company Postcard. I've never collected any postcards, but I thought this was a sweet looking issue. It's of George Nill, a Cleveland utility player back in 1907. It's in decent shape except for it was actually used in the mail, so it is written on and stamped. I'm unsure of what I have here, so a little enlightenment would be great. I did enough research to realize that there are 15 cards and Cobb and Wagner are in the set. Please help out!

Jimi

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Posted By: Brian C.

Email sent.

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Posted By: Rob D.

Congrats on a great pick-up from a set that is highly sought after by a number of postcard collectors. I'm confident that if you put it on the market via an auction, you'd be very, very pleased with the results.

(My guess is your e-mail inbox also has been filled with offers since your post. )

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Posted By: chiprop

great card!

"I'm unsure of what I have here, so a little enlightenment would be great."

Incredibly rare and sought after by many PC collectors makes your find quite attractive. Please share a scan if you are able. Brian C has a ton of knowledge about this set. Brian... Please share with the group.

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Posted By: Rob D.

Yes, Brian, please share!

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Posted By: Steve Murray

"Yes, Brian, please share!"

Don't hold your breath.

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Posted By: Jimi

....to know what the value might be. Unfortunately, I can't get a picture to work on here. I've not been able too since I purchased my Macbook Pro. Since this has been given to me by my parents, this isn't leaving my collection, at least right now. It's a sweet cards, and I would love to find more. The value doesn't really matter to me, but I am curious.

Jimi

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Posted By: Jimi

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Jimi

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Posted By: Brian C.

Hi, I'm glad to help. Each postcard in the 1908 PC770 series has a two-image combination of a head shot in an oval and a full length photo. The series was put out by a Cleveland manufacturer and except for Wagner and Cobb, the postcards are all of Cleveland players. They can be found with or without a Collister & Sayle sporting goods advertisement printed on the front together with a schedule printed on the reverse. The ads and schedules can be found printed in red or green. Both the PC770 and Offerman postcards include player biographical information on their fronts. Incidentally, Jimi, George Nill's nickname was "Rabbit." I'd like to put together an image catalog so if you have any to share, please email me scans. Thanks, Bri

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Posted By: Jimi

Are you not able to see the pictures above, Brian? I scanned two large photos for viewing on my last post. Thanks for your help with all this.

Jimi

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Posted By: Brian C.

Hi Jimmy, I see the scans fine. Thanks for posting them. Congrats on a nice acquisition. Anyone with questions about the set or scans of postcards from the set should by all means contact me. Bri

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Posted By: paulstratton

Looks like you could have held your breath after all. Nice pickup.

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Posted By: Jimi

What makes this a nice pickup for me is that I actually know the Ackerman family (whom the letter is to), I live in Mount Vernon, OH which is also indicated, and my parents were actually high school sweethearts in Ashtabula County (the postmark through the stamp.) Like I said before, I'm hanging onto this item, but I am curious to know what some of you might think this would bring in an auction house. I guess the cheaper it is, the better I will feel about hanging onto it!

Also, if sent to SGC, will they grade it? Authentic? Postally marked? I am a virgin postcard collector, and only because I've just obtained this card.

Jimi

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Posted By: davidcycleback

Assuming there is no extracurricular damage, many consider a postmark to be a positive as the postcard has been government dated.

Many people wondered if the Pinkerton postcards were vintage until some blank backs were found with letters and postmarks. The postmarks confirmed they were from the 1910s.

In my collector's estimation, a nice, neat letter and vintage postmark does not hurt the value, and often increases it. Unlike a baseball card, a postcard was designed to be written on. Obviously, if the pen ink bleeds through to the front or the postmark creates a tear that would be a problem.

I had a Victorian scrap book that, amongst the scraps and cut out pictures and trade cards, contained some commercially made birthday cards. In the cards the scrap book owner, a young girl, had written loving birthday letters to herself from what obviously were imaginary friends. These were the only birthday cards in the album, so I wondered if they were the only birthday greetings she received that year. The cards themselves were a dime dozen, but the writing made them priceless.

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Posted By: Jimi

I'm sending it out to SGC before the end of the week. Any guesses what it will grade?

Jimi

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Posted By: Rob D.

My money's on 30.

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Posted By: Turner Engle

SGC 20.

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Posted By: fkw

A used postcard (because of ink and marks) will be a 10 or 20 no matter how nice it is, at least thats what all the ones Ive had graded come back as.

Like David said, I like them when they are used.

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Posted By: Rob D.

Turner and/or Frank are probably right. The grading of PCs is goofy. This Lajoie is a 20 (it's postally unused, so the back is clean), yet Jimi's displays much nicer. Doesn't seem right that his might come back a 10 or 20. Especially when postcards were meant to be mailed.

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Posted By: Jimi

...for a 30, but you guys are probably right...10 or 20. Bummer, but it'll look better slabbed then just laying in my display case in a screw down. I'd like to get more of these if you all have 'em. I now know they are not cheap, but they are so cool looking.

Jimi

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Posted By: Jimi

...the report is in. The Nill graded an SGC 20. I'm a little disappointed, but I think the card looks great! Thanks again to all those who pitched in with their advice!

Jimi

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Posted By: Steve Murray

Jimi:

You know for the Nill the grade is totally irrelevant. Whether it's a 20 or a 30 or a 40 shouldn't make a bit of difference. The card has the same value regardless of the grade.

Just my opinion.

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Posted By: Paula

I am inquiring about the card you have. Is it for sale and how much? One of his great grandchildren is a relative so I would be interested in it as a gift. Thank you.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman