Jefferson Burdick letters- June 30, 1936 and on.....

[Leon]

Here is the oldest letter from the recent hoard of hundreds of documents from John Wagner's collection of hobby periodicals and ephemera. There are hundreds (maybe close to a thousand) total items to go through. I can't say I have ever been quite as excited as I am going through this collection. It is unbelievable. Also, this particular letter and envelope is the only one that is in such poor condition. It looks like it was literally pulled from a trash fire.....but it's the oldest...(the rest will be easier to read)

[Publius]

I'll chime in, that is amazing, and such history!

[barrysloate]

It's amazing to see that people bought, sold, and traded memorabilia during the Depression. It had to be a very elite group who interacted with one another back then. Great stuff Leon! Keep 'em coming.

[gnaz01]

I was the underbidder on several of these lots. For reference, here is a photo of John D. Wagner:

[1880nonsports]

thanks for sharing. I eat this stuff up :-)
I remember when a couple of dealers would send me a grouping of stuff for me to decide on - keep what I liked - return the rest - AND I might be allowed to contribute to the discussion of pricing. Not aware that it happens too often anymore.
Cards were much less of a commodity back in the "golden age" of the late 30's-50's (acc, wti) the dollar amounts that would be quoted at least initially, allowed for "an exchange point" - a value that was used primarily as a basis for trading or purchase rather than what could be made buying/selling as can often be the case today. I've seen in these letters and notes commitments to purchase at percentages higher than the "book" - even when they WROTE the book! Few people other than perhaps paper dealers had thoughts of making money from the hobby and for people like Burdick, Barker, Bray et al it was about the process and history almost as much as it was about the acquisition. About the $ ? - not so much.

[Leon]

another Burdick letter (he doesn't get 5 stars for shipping though )...July 6, 1936.

[4815162342]

Wow, Leon! Is that letter referencing Sean's "faded" Plank?

[Leon]

My best guess is no, as there are many examples that display a faded look.

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Wow, Leon! Is that letter referencing Sean's "faded" Plank?

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Leon

My best guess is no, as there are many examples that display a faded look.

Oh well, just a thought.

[CW]

Great stuff, Leon -- thanks!

Boy, if Jeff was around today I can just see him arguing with Joe at PSA about his midgraded, taped up T202 Hassans...

"But, Mr. Orlando, with a bit of cellophane they are just like NEW!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Burdick, but..."

"Don't tell me! I wrote the BOOK on these things!"

OK, maybe not.

[1880nonsports]

really enjoying these! Burdick obviously had a pre-disposition to "checklisting" things as it was apparently the ordered approach he took to his own life - although reading about how this and that was in forever in transit seems to have been a bit frenetic. I imagine he was at times inundated with similar correspondences from a multitude of interested parties and he still managed to keep it "together". I also appreciate the tenor of his assessments and the focus he had - willing to listen but the captain of his ship navigating unchartered waters. That we are here today and still discussing the vagueries and minutia of our beloved cards as well as the man himself, stands as a testimony to the direction and paths he took as well as to the man himself.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Wow, Leon! Is that letter referencing Sean's "faded" Plank?

I've noticed that a lot of the 350 Series Planks look a bit faded, even washed-out. The 150 Series usually are darker. Maybe that is what Burdick was referring to, a 350 Series Plank.

Daryl, I think that this light blue Plank would appear more than a bit faded to Burdick. But I had the same thought as you when I first read the letter.

[Sean]

I'm also curious about the 521 card complete set.

[mrvster]

[Leon]

Not sure of anything except the first mention from 521 to 522, which I have seen so far, is in the 1942 Supplement to the US Card Catalog (ACC). It states 521 but then goes on to say, in parenthesis the values of certain cards and mentions (467-522). I am still digging and while digging added another letter to post 22 (above) in order to stay in chronological order. Burdick mentions to Wagner (John D) that Edwards is offering $2.00 for a Wagner in #521....

Originally Posted by Sean

I'm also curious about the 521 card complete set.

[Leon]

Jan 1944...arthritis, missing cards, Sporting Lifes, Cracker Jacks....etc...

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Leon

Not sure of anything except the first mention from 521 to 522, which I have seen so far, is in the 1942 Supplement to the US Card Catalog (ACC). It states 521 but then goes on to say, in parenthesis the values of certain cards and mentions (467-522). I am still digging and while digging added another letter to post 22 (above) in order to stay in chronological order. Burdick mentions to Wagner (John D) that Edwards is offering $2.00 for a Wagner in #521....

Those are the old set designations before the T,E,R etc he went to.

T206 was set catalog number 521
T207 was set catalog number 522

[insidethewrapper]

Letters should be listed on the Non-Sports site also, they may be interested. Mostly non-sport items.

[Leon]

A nice picture of Burdick and the only one I have ever seen..

[butchie_t]

Awesome read!!!!

Thanks for bumping this Leon.
B.T.