Origins of Signed T206 Cards -- An Interview with a Hobby Legend

[Archive]

Posted By: T206Collector

A number of signed T206 cards have recently begun to filter into the marketplace, on websites like eBay and in various auction houses. Given this recent influx of signed T206 cards, there have been some doubts and questions posted on Network54 about their origins. Shortly after I obtained my first signed T206 card of Rube Marquard in early April 2004, a collector suggested to me that it may have come from the collection of Jeff Morey, a renowned autograph seeker who was known to once have many pre-war cards signed by players, including Ty Cobb. As my signed T206 collection has grown to over 30 different examples in the past three and a half years, questions about how, when and why these signatures were obtained have grown in importance to me.

I recently decided to track down Mr. Morey and see if he could shed some light on my collection. Once I was able to contact him, it quickly became obvious to me that he was a valuable resource into a bygone era of card collecting and autograph seeking. As a result, I asked him if he would be willing to be interviewed by me for a Podcast on my website, T206Collector.com. He agreed and if you visit my website, you can listen to or read the results of my 30-minute telephone interview with Mr. Morey on December 27, 2007.

I would be happy to answer any specific questions about this interview by e-mail, but I will not be addressing any issues, concerns, claims, etc. on Network54. But, obviously, feel free to discuss as much as you want in this thread. My sole purpose for doing this was to raise awareness about where these signed T206 cards may have come from, why many of them are legitimate and to further the enjoyment of collecting signed deadball era cards for those that choose to believe, as I do, that a T206 card is much more enjoyable with a signature.



Enjoy the show at:

http://www.t206collector.com

I hope you have as much fun listening to Mr. Morey as I did!

[Archive]

Posted By: Paul S

I appreciate the time and effort it took to transcribe it. Lots of good stuff in there. One of my favorites, when comparing T and E cards (Crawford in this case) sharing the same player pose:
"But a picture’s a picture; a card’s a card."
LOL! Terrific.

[Archive]

Posted By: Greg

What a terrific interview -- well done!

Just like Mr. Morey, I too got autographs at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown on Hall of Fame day in the early 70s (back then the ceremonies and HOF Game were held on the same day).

Most years I would have players sign scorecards and balls in a group fashion, but one year I took several cards to get autographed. No T206s, but I got autographs on quite a few Goudeys, and had Rube Marquard and Harry Hooper sign their Cracker Jack cards. I put the cards (carefully with corner hinges) in a hard backed scrapbook so it would be easy for the players to sign them. The only problem was when I asked Marquard to sign his E94 (or E95 card, I forget which without looking) -- he started his signature on the card, but then continued it right off the ege of the card and onto the scrapbook -- I still have that card mounted on the page! (and if I ever figure out how to post a photo, I'll show it).

Some of my favorite childhood memories are those annual trips to Cooperstown with my dad.

Greg

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark

Paul - I'm enjoying your interview with Mr. Morey very much. I too live in Syracuse - very interesting to hear about a local collector.

[Archive]

Posted By: Al Simeone

Paul,
Very nice interview with Mr Morey. It was very intresting to me to hear how he obtained his autographs and just to hear the genuineness in his voice as he spoke you can surely tell that that era of collecting is long gone!! Just as he stated "like stamps there was a great trust" in knowing the item or items would be sent back and the cards that were purchased from the Dealers back then would be sent. Wow 5-10 cents a card for t206s. Great job and keep it up!

[Archive]

Posted By: JimB

Paul,
Great interview. Thanks for doing this.
jimB

[Archive]

Posted By: Dean H

Thanks Paul. Nice interview. Thanks for sharing so all of us can enjoy.

Dean

[Archive]

Posted By: T206Collector

Greg,

Thanks for your post. One of the things that Mr. Morey made clear to me was that he was not alone in his pursuits of signatures, and that his was a shared pursuit in the larger context of a very active hobby. There were many collectors getting deadball era cards signed. And so it is not surprising that they will make their way into the market, especially now when interest in them is at an all time high.

I'm glad so many people seem to really enjoy the interview.

Take care,

Paul

[Archive]

Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

Thanks Paul!

That was fun to read!

 

[Archive]

Posted By: dennis

very good interview really enjoyed it.

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Great interview Paul !!!

Jeff Morey is one of the most knowledgable & honest guys in the sports autograph hobby/business. I have corresponded with him by e-mail and/or phone on several occasions over the years. He has produced the longest running sports autograph publication in the hobby called The Autograph Review (TAR), one of the, if not the best publication in this field !!!

Alan

[Archive]

Posted By: T206Collector

Thanks for the reference to TAR. On my website, both in my blog as well as at the bottom of the Jeff Morey page, I have the details about how to subscribe. Of course, after speaking with him, I signed right up!

Thanks again for all the positive reviews!



_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Visit http://www.t206collector.com for my blog, interviews, articles, card galleries and more!

[Archive]

Posted By: Richard Cline - RC

Great interview Paul! Thanks for sharing.

RC

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob

Paul- Thank you so much for sharing this with us. There is not enough of this on the board and when it does appear it is really enlightening and entertaining.
Tbob

[Archive]

Posted By: Scot Reader

Paul,
I enjoyed the interview very much. Thanks for taking the time and effort.
Scot

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave Hornish

That was a fine interview. I love hearing about the old time hobby days.

[Archive]

Posted By: barry arnold

great work, Paul.
the new direction of your 206 research has turned out to be most interesting and
groundbreaking.

all the best,

barry

[Archive]

Posted By: Jerry Hrechka

Don't mean to hijack this thread - but I'm just curious. Do any OJ, Four Base Hits or other N cards signed cards exist?

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

I've seen a few forgeries on OJs and a couple of other N-types. To my knowledge there are NO legitimately signed 19th century cards in existence.

[Archive]

Posted By: Adam

Paul, I have to tell you, I find myself checking your website almost every day now. I think you've done a great job with it!

Regards,
Adam

[Archive]

Posted By: Martin Neal

Paul, your website is terrific. I really enjoyed the interview with Jeff.

Thanks, Martin

[Archive]

Posted By: Jeff Mohler

I enjoyed the interview too. It brought back a lot of memories.

As a teenager in the early 1980's I would send out requests for autographs to the living hall of famers. I distinctly remember receiving FREE yellow HOF plaque cards signed by Joe Sewell, Stanley Coveleskie, Edd Roush and many others. I sold them all about 13 years ago never realizing that I would have a son someday. He served to revive my interest in baseball! Boy do I wish I had those autographs back!

One interesting aside. Joe Sewell sent a handwritten note along with his card saying "Thanks for remembering me". I wonder now how many requests some of these older players received?

I sure wish I had thought to send along some cards rather than just receiving the plaque postcard!

[Archive]

Posted By: Art M.

Paul,
Great job on your website and the interview!
Thanks,
Art M.

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Holt

Great read!!! Thanks for sharing that, your web site is terrific also.

[Archive]

Posted By: sean

I started getting signed pre war cards in the 80's. Thought Id show a few of the better ones I got