OT: My first beloved catalog

[Snapolit1]

People wax poetic about REA, LOTG and all the other great catalogs we get over the course of the year. As a kid I loved the Johnson Smith Catalog. Ordered all sorts of insane stuff from that catalog. The idea that there was a company out there stock piling these absurd items was hysterical as a kid. Anxiously awaited their newest catalog like some of you guys pouncing on REA. All sort of gags and gimmicks. I think they eventually went online only which pretty much was the death knell of a very cool business.

[BeanTown]

I'm surprised by the number of auction companies that still send out catalogs. I really enjoy recieving my auction catalogs and I still have everyone that has been mailed to me.

This auction back in 1991 put baseball card collecting on the map. This is one of my favorite catalogs.

[rats60]

I still have that Southerby's catalog too. However, my first and most prized catalogs are those I received from the Card Collectors Co. in the sixties and seventies.

[trdcrdkid]

Here's a thread I posted about that 1991 Sotheby's auction of the Copeland collection, including some background on James Copeland.

http://net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=245412

[Peter_Spaeth]

Given the time frame during which he collected, and who reputedly he bought from, one wonders how many of Copeland's cards were trimmed.

[CobbSpikedMe]

I have that Copeland catalog too. I love perusing it from time to time. Nothing graded. Just great stuff page after page.

AndyH

[Yoda]

My first auction catalogue was from Mastro and Steinbach. Seems pretty primitive by today's standard. Still got it.

[Stonepony]

As a youth I too ordered tons of crazy stuff from the Johnson Smith catalog. Could not wait for those mail days!! I also ordered from the Edmond Scientific catalog.

[RedsFan1941]

anyone remember the old Political Gallery catalogs?

[MVSNYC]

I'm a sucker for well-put-together catalogs. I have many special ones saved.

Barry Halper's Sotheby's box set is one for the ages.

[TheBig6]

I remember Ron Oster sending vhs tapes for his auction

[Vintagecatcher]

Back in the day, there was nothing better than Lew's "Four Base Hits" catalogs.

They were the best!

Larry Fritsch's "One of a kind catalogs" were a close second!

Patrick

[Chris Counts]

I sent away for a Larry Fritsch catalog around 1972. I would have been about 11. Previously, I had acquired at least one Topps card from every year dating back to 1953, but I had never seen a 1952 Topps before. Displayed in the catalog was the 1952 Topps card of Johnny Mize, which I decided I had to have. I think I paid a quarter for it. I recall the entire set was available for $350 ...

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

As a kid I loved the Johnson Smith Catalog.

Fun fact: Johnson Smith had the only paid advertisement in Action Comics #1. Their ad appeared on the back cover.



(Note: image was taken from a facsimile sourced from a 1974 reprint, which deleted the advertiser's address so people couldn't order from a then-34-year-old ad)

[quitcrab]

I use to buy cards through the mail from a guy named Bill Henderson from maybe Alabama around 1978. I may have the name and state wrong, but he would send out a black and white zerox of a typed page of his inventory.
I know I bought a 58 Berra from him and I still have it. Probably paid 6 to 10 dollars for it.
Scott

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

I use to buy cards through the mail from a guy named Bill Henderson from maybe Alabama around 1978. I may have the name and state wrong, but he would send out a black and white zerox of a typed page of his inventory.
I know I bought a 58 Berra from him and I still have it. Probably paid 6 to 10 dollars for it.
Scott

I bought a lot from Bill in the 1990s & early 2000s while I was building my Topps sets - he's still on ebay -couldn't tell you the state off the top of my head. I was never disappointed.

[Vintagecatcher]

When I heard Bill Henderson's name, I remember he was called King of Commons.

http://www.akama.com/company/Bill_He...a01822114.html

Patrick

[jcmtiger]

I had a 5 foot stack of catalogs, finally sent them to recycling bin a few years ago.

Joe

[jerrys]

The First REA September 8, 1994 - Tabloid size. I need the prices realized.
Some of the lots:
A&G BB Advertising Poster Res:$100K
1934 Goudey Uncut Sheet (25 cards) Includes Lajoie Res:$90K
1915 Cracker Jack Advertising Poster Res:$25K
Ty Cobb Tobacco Tin Res:$50k
Ty Cobb Uniform Res:$140K
Yum Yum N403 Kelly Creases - looks EX Res:$3.5K

Several lots of Four Base Hits:
Ward NM Res:$2k
Sullivan NM Res: $800
Clarkson NM Res: $800
Etc.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Vintagecatcher

When I heard Bill Henderson's name, I remember he was called King of Commons.

http://www.akama.com/company/Bill_He...a01822114.html

Patrick

Here is Mr. Henderson's response to my email inquiry:


After 41 years of being a sports card Dealer and at the age of 73, I decided to hang up my hat and retire. Sold my material to another dealer last September



Thank you for your past business.




Take care bill


A Good Guy & Honest Dealer.