Negro League HOF cards? Best choices?

[Belfast1933]

I’m a HOF collector and am wondering if members can make recommendations of their favorite cards or sets for Negro League stars who made Cooperstown HOF but never made it on a common baseball card set during their playing days

If I can’t add a card for Cool Papa Bell of Josh Gibson etc from their playing days, and suggestions for great looking cards for these greats made after their careers were over?

I have recently seen a new set called Helmar - don’t know anything about them but they look pretty cool

Thx for your suggestions!

Jeff

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

I’m a HOF collector and am wondering if members can make recommendations of their favorite cards or sets for Negro League stars who made Cooperstown HOF but never made it on a common baseball card set during their playing days

If I can’t add a card for Cool Papa Bell of Josh Gibson etc from their playing days, and suggestions for great looking cards for these greats made after their careers were over?

I have recently seen a new set called Helmar - don’t know anything about them but they look pretty cool

Thx for your suggestions!

Jeff

Our own Graig Kreindler put out a 184-card set earlier this year.

https://negroleagueshistory.com/shop...ball-card-set/

[Jason19th]

First it’s important to remember that a number of negro league HoFers can be found in Cuban and Puerto Rican issues. Ray Brown, Ray Danderidge, Martin Dihigo, and Willard Brown can be had for less then 500. Willie Foster, Andy Cooper and Oscar Charleston are also available but well over 1k. Pete Hill, Jose Mendez and Gibson are possible but not for anyone without a trust fund

For more modern issues -

James Bell put out his own card set in 1976. Not a wonderful issue but you can find autographed copies for about 50 bucks
There are a couple of regional issues from the 70’s and early 1980’s that feature Negro league stars. I think it’s a Shakeys Pizza issue that features Pittsburgh Teams
The 1974 McLaughlins set is something that people either love or hate. It’s line drawings rather then photos. A bit rare in high grade
The 1984 Negro league set is cheap and decent but nothing that going to blow you away
The Ted Williams set in the early 1990s is decent and has a number of Negro league stars

The Helmar cards are very nice but they get pretty pricey for a manufactured collectible.

[triwak]

Go to the "Old Cardboard" website (you can click on their banner at the top of our homepage), then click on their "reference library," followed by "HOF Rookie Card database." That was set up by fellow member, Phil Garry, and is an excellent resource to see what the earliest five cards are, for each HOFer (updated through about 10 years ago). You'll see the super pricey Cuban/Puerto Rican/etc. cards from the Negro Leaguers' playing days (as Jason pointed out), but also many of the more modern commemorative cards from which to choose. Happy collecting!

[Exhibitman]

The 1974 Laughlin set is a great choice:



Lots of cards of the HOFers, some considered RCs. You can also get some signed ones, which is nice:

[paul]

Willie Foster is not available to anyone without a trust fund.

1945-1946 Caramelo Deportivo Cuban League

[riggs336]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The 1974 Laughlin set is a great choice:



Lots of cards of the HOFers, some considered RCs. You can also get some signed ones, which is nice:

Around 1975 Laughlin ran an ad in The Trader Speaks (I think) offering the original artwork for this set at $10 per card, buyer's choice, first come first served.
I asked for Josh Gibson and got him along with a letter from Laughlin saying he hated to give Gibson up.
I just looked for the artwork and letter and they didn't immediately reveal themselves, but I'll look harder and post them when I find them.