1949 Leaf BB cards....show us your Leaf's

[tedzan]

Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year old kid.

I'll start this show with some of my favorites in my set. Looking forward to seeing your 1949 Leaf cards.




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TED Z
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[Joshwesley]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year kid.

I'll start this show with some of my favorites in my set. Looking forward to seeing your 1949 Leaf cards.





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TED Z
.

Those are awesome Ted..

My holy grail is the satchel Paige.... Being born and still living in Mobile.... He's an icon around here.
One day!........

[almostdone]

Great thread. I love this set. I only have one but it is easily in my top 5 of my collection.
Drew

[sreader3]

Beautiful cards Ted. The Joe D. is particularly amazing.

[quinnsryche]

Honestly, I've never understood the attraction to this set. I think they are by far the ugliest post war cards ever produced. I would love to hear why so many collectors love this set. I am not judging or belittling anyone, I really have always wondered why so many revere this set like they do (and I mean from the visual aspect, not the player content, that I do understand). I can totally understand Ted's reasoning as it's part of his childhood and I respect that.

[pclpads]

For me, they just evoke an image of the time. Despite all their numerous imperfections, i.e., color bleeds, stinko registration, over prints, mc and oc issues, always loved the set, always will. To each his own . . . That said, I only have one: Bob Elliott in SGC 84.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I've always enjoyed them since finding some at a flea market in 1977. I actually like the football issue even better, classic poses of players we seldom see.

[CW]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Honestly, I've never understood the attraction to this set. I think they are by far the ugliest post war cards ever produced. I would love to hear why so many collectors love this set. I am not judging or belittling anyone, I really have always wondered why so many revere this set like they do (and I mean from the visual aspect, not the player content, that I do understand). I can totally understand Ted's reasoning as it's part of his childhood and I respect that.

In many cases it is an acquired taste. When I first got back into collecting ('98-'00), these didn't do much for me. However, over time I came to appreciate the appeal and relative beauty of these cards. Many are off register, so finding an example that's in good shape and registered can be tough, but they look so much better when everything lines up.

You also have minor and major color variations throughout the set, adding another nuance to the eye appeal factor. To me, they perfectly represent the time period, and the printing process resembles an Andy Warhol silkscreen to me.

[CardMD]

Always loved these cards. Would love to pick up the other big three (Ruth / Robinson / Paige).

[sandmountainslim]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Honestly, I've never understood the attraction to this set. I think they are by far the ugliest post war cards ever produced. I would love to hear why so many collectors love this set. I am not judging or belittling anyone, I really have always wondered why so many revere this set like they do (and I mean from the visual aspect, not the player content, that I do understand). I can totally understand Ted's reasoning as it's part of his childhood and I respect that.

In a similar vein I always wonder why the Ruth from this set sells for such high prices. I mean it is a post-career card printed after his death just like the 62 Topps or any other postwar Ruth card. Why does it garner prices as if it was issued during his career? It's an attractive card to me but I don't understand why it is so IMHO overpriced.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by sandmountainslim

In a similar vein I always wonder why the Ruth from this set sells for such high prices. I mean it is a post-career card printed after his death just like the 62 Topps or any other postwar Ruth card. Why does it garner prices as if it was issued during his career? It's an attractive card to me but I don't understand why it is so IMHO overpriced.

It's all a matter of "relativity"....you consider this vintage card of Ruth "overpriced"....however, when compared with his Goudey cards (or earlier cards),
it is reasonably priced. Ruth is Ruth, and most collectors want an old card of him.

Here are the two from my two 1949 LEAF sets......


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TED Z
.

[tedzan]

Of the twenty HOFers in the 1949 LEAF set, the Indians lead with these five HOFers......


Spring series cards

"MVP in 1948" **
.



Summer series cards (short-prints)

....



** Note.... Trivia: What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's MVP award ?

Furthermore, I bring Boudreau's 1948 MVP award to your attention, which is one of several factors that prove this LEAF set was issued ONLY in 1949. The graded card
flips (PSA, SGC, etc.) are absolutely incorrect with their "1948" date.

Boudreau's MVP award was announced in late December 1948. However, if you need more proof of the 1949 issue date, I refer you to my 8-page article published in
Old Cardboard titled "1949 R401 Leaf Gum Company: Most Challenging of all "R" sets" ? ...... Issue #9, Fall 2006.


TED Z
.

[mechanicalman]

Great cards, guys.

As someone who appreciates mid-century pop art, I find this set mesmerizing. As someone who craves focus and centering, I find it infuriating.

My only two examples. Hoping CW posts his DiMaggio duo.

[tedzan]

I'm reprising this post because there were no responses to my Trivia question......

What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's 1948 MVP award ?

Originally Posted by tedzan

Of the twenty HOFers in the 1949 LEAF set, the Indians lead with these five HOFers......


Spring series cards

"MVP in 1948" **
.



Summer series cards (short-prints)

....





** Note.... Trivia: What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's 1948 MVP award ?

Furthermore, I bring Boudreau's 1948 MVP award to your attention, which is one of several factors that prove this LEAF set was issued ONLY in 1949. The graded card
flips (PSA, SGC, etc.) are absolutely incorrect with their "1948" date.

Boudreau's MVP award was announced in late December 1948. However, if you need more proof of the 1949 issue date, I refer you to my 8-page article published in
Old Cardboard titled "1949 R401 Leaf Gum Company: Most Challenging of all "R" sets" ? ...... Issue #9, Fall 2006.


TED Z
.

[Ksquared]

I have been putting together this set for the last several years. Before I started, I also felt it was "ugly" but after reading Ted Z's article and looking at the set some more I decided to jump in and really enjoy the set. I'm down to needing one more card to complete the basic set (need the Larry Doby card). As many mentioned, it can really test your patience with the print defects, centering issues, focus problems but it has become one set where those issues don't bother me as much. Here is a link to my set and a few cards that I like that haven't been posted:

http://www.collectorfocus.com/collec...leaf-baseball/

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by tedzan

I'm reprising this post because there were no responses to my Trivia question......

What is unique regarding Lou Boudreau's 1948 MVP award ?

Ok. I'll bite. Just a stab in the dark but was Lou Boudreau the only player/ manager to win an MVP?
Drew

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by almostdone

Ok. I'll bite. Just a stab in the dark but was Lou Boudreau the only player/ manager to win an MVP?
Drew

Drew

You got it....you're the Trivia King tonite.


TED Z
.

[spec]

[QUOTE=tedzan;1542379]Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year kid.

Ted,
When did you discover there was a second series of the Leaf baseball set? Also, were all the Bowman 1949 series sold in your NJ hometown?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Most set collectors consider this set to be the toughest to complete of all the major post-war issues. I've posted this thread here in the pre-war section since this set
comprises of BB stars that played in every decade from 1897 to 1948.

There are 98 different subjects in this set (20 of them HOFers). These cards were issued in 2 series of 49 cards each. The first series was available very early in the
Spring of 1949. The 2nd (short-printed) series was very limited in its distribution during the Summer of 1949. These 49 cards were available only in four regions of
the country (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Eastern Massachusetts).

Anyhow, I have quite a sentimental attachment to these cards, since they were my very first colorized BB cards that I collected when I was a 10-year kid.

Originally Posted by spec

Ted,
When did you discover there was a second series of the Leaf baseball set? Also, were all the Bowman 1949 series sold in your NJ hometown?

In 1949 in our neighborhood in New Jersey, the LEAF's were available in March. The BOWMAN's followed in April (or May). I remember this well because Spring training had started
when we were flipping our LEAF cards. Also, we played a game of scaling them against our front porch. Like horseshoes, the closest one to the first step would pick up all the cards.
If one of us got a leaner, the kid that knocked it down by aiming his LEAF card at it picked up all the cards.

Only the 1st series LEAF's were available to us. I had my original 49 cards in this LEAF cards set when I got back in the hobby in 1977. I acquired my first 2nd series LEAF card at
a 1982 card Show in north NJ from a dealer from Ohio. It was this Satchell Paige, and it cost me $200. Eight years later, I completed this set of 98 cards (and, its 3 variations).
I have completed a 521-card T206 set in less time than that !


And, to your 2nd question......all 5 series of the 252 cards in the BOWMAN set were available in our neighborhood during May thru September 1949.





TED Z
.

[Joshwesley]

Ted
That's a neat story... That would be around my dad's age.

You need to get that Paige graded... It's a beauty..
I'm guessing you would get a 6 or 7.

That's high quality

[leaflover]

Hey Ted....I find these two are interesting. Priddy with the all yellow background.
Wyrostek with some uniform detail. This might be unique. Maybe a pattern
card?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by leaflover

Hey Ted....I find these two are interesting. Priddy with the all yellow background.
Wyrostek with some uniform detail. This might be unique. Maybe a pattern
card?

Hi Mike

Here's my normally green Billy Johnson with a yellow background.



I'm not quite sure what you are noting on your Wyrostek card ?


TED Z
.

[leaflover]

It's the blue striping on his jersey. I have never seen another example with the stripes.

[tedzan]

Double post.

[bleeckerstreetcards]

this is a great thread, just commenting so i can remember where it is!

[tedzan]

I am reprising this thread as it illustrates a rich amount of LEAF cards on display.
Especially all the 2nd Series (short-prints)....which are very seldom seen.
And, many of my color variations.

Plus, Mike Ryan's (long-time 1949 LEAF BB collector) beautiful cards.

After all is said and done.....pictures are always worth a "1000 words"


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Enfuego]

Here is my only one

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