Value of Zeenut Card with Buck Barker Writing on Back

[leftygrove10]

I recently acquired a group of type cards. One of the cards in the group is a Zeenut (1937?) card with Buck Barker writing on the back. I have seen this on the board before. It must be running circles through people's collections on here. Does anyone have an idea of the value of this card? Obviously Buck Barker was a legend in the hobby. Thanks!

[Leon]

Even though many of us love those old writings, and they definitely add character to a card, they rarely add much value at all. Maybe on a low dollar card it adds a few dollars. Just my take on it.....

[philliesphan]

I'm not sure if [or why] the Buck Barker writing on the back of the card would add any value to the set. As a Zee-Nut collector myself, I would place no such premium on the writing.

The biggest value on this card is that it is from the relatively rare 1938 series. 1937 aren't too hard to find, but the final series of Zee-Nuts from 1938 aren't very common at all.

Now, if that example had a coupon attached....

[CobbSpikedMe]

I would pay a premium for the card if Barker had written his name on it. Just like I'd pay a premium for a Lionel Carter SGC card. That's just me though. I agree that for most this wouldn't add value.

Thanks,

AndyH

[oaks1912]

Buck's Zeenut collection was sold to Frank & Vivian Barning following his death. Around 1991, the collection was sold to me, through a broker, and the 3000 plus different Zeenuts that Buck accumulated were sorted out on my kitchen table. As I recall more than 60% of his cards contained the now famous Barker shorthand on the reverse, some in pen...most in pencil. In addition to player transaction records, most contained the year that Buck acquired the card along with the collector he acquired it from. At the time, there were a few advanced hobbyists that requested a 'type set' of Buck's different sources (which included Jim Horne, Dick Dobbins, John Spalding, Lou Chericoni, Jeff Burdick, Larry Moe, Paul Marchant and Bill Weiss). Today, I would think that a Burdick marked back would contain a premium, but the others do not command a premium, despite being formerly handled by some hobby legends from the past (Larry, Do you consider yourself a legend ?........ ) The illustrated card below came from Bill Weiss in 1973

[caramelcard]

I consider Larry to be a legend.

[Jacklitsch]

Originally Posted by caramelcard

I consider Larry to be a legend.

+1

[camlov2]

I would love to see others, particularly if someone has one from Jim Horne.

[brianp-beme]

Being a generally lower condition collector, AND actually preferring my blank back cards to have some writing on them (you know, to spice up an otherwise dull surface), I have ended up with quite a few Buck Barker Zeenut cards. Like Mark mentioned, you do find quite a few of the hobby veterans and legends that Buck purchased his cards from and noted as such (the man was incredibly detail orientated). Besides the names Mark listed, I have in my collection ones from Lew Lipset, Frank Nagy, Bill Heitman, and even a Preston Orem originally picked up in 1958. They don't normally add much of a premium to the card, but are a cool reminder of how much research that this man did to identify all the mystery PCL players that only had their last name on the card (and which frequently was mispelled). Some of my favorite from the ones I have posted are the James Cagney caricature that Buck managed to utilize all the available space, and the 1925 Haughy card which he notes possibile last names that he researched at the Sporting News archives and found to be not a good match (my guess is this guy is still unidentified).

Brian

[irishdenny]

These cards are Brilliant! My take on these gentleman, They were so intrigued by the nature of the lost elements, that the little boys in themselves never grew uP! They may not be a dollar amount to enhance these pieces of history, However, If someone were to erase/alter them, I would feel it in the debts of my baseball soul...

Thanks for Scanning and posting them! I hope you don't mind, I've saved them for reference & I do hope that those who have more, will add to this thread! And that they won't mind me borrowing these timeless pieces of history either

[conor912]

Originally Posted by caramelcard

I consider Larry to be a legend.

...and debonair to boot.

[AndrewJerome]

Great thread. A few of my Buck Barker Zs are below. I pick them up when I can, I certainly would rather have a Buck Barker back than a blank back. There is something cool about having a Zeenut that Buck Barker acquired from Nagy, Bray, Dobbins etc.

Mark, do you know what the large cursive (that appears to be) "BG" is on the back of Zs?

And yes, I will echo the sentiment that Larry is a legend!

Andrew

[oaks1912]

Andrew... The "BG" backed cards have been in circulation for over 30 years. I did not bring that collection into the hobby, but have seen the notations on cards from the late 10's to early 20's, including Zeenuts, E-120, E-121 and Henry Johnson cards (All cards marketed originally in the Bay Area). Based on what I've seen or owned, it must have contained a few thousand cards. The BG is most likely the initials of the original collector. Often times households which contained siblings that were close in age would result in each sibling writing their names or initials on the backs of the property (cards) to establish ownership.......... There are many other 'personalized' collections out there that you'll likely encounter over time.