Baseball Magazine premium ad May 1912

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Well I don't think they have numbers on them. I think BM "numbered" them as they got started with this, the numbers were a convenience for BM when folks ordered them, numbers weren't on the premiums. I think these are the regular M113s that are depicted and offered in the ad.

The Standard Catalog shows M113s starting in 1910. I think the 1912 date is more likely correct. The Catalog lists 4 1910 cards, then 7 1912 cards. If this ad is to be believed, it should be 8 1912 cards instead. That is 8 cards in 1912, none in 1910... these 8 would be the first.

Years ago, before M113s and M114s were cataloged, I considered putting together a list based on the ads. I spent hours going through the old issues of BM, listing the newly offered players by year of offering. I encountered a few old, veteran collectors of these premiums. One assured me that there were some players listed in the ads that were not ever distributed by BM. He was certain that the ads didn't accurately reflect what was done. So maybe the Catalog's 1910 date is correct.

Still, if you read this ad, it sure seems like May of 1912 is when this all started.

And as for Harry Lord... we look at these guys with our perspective of time. In their day, players we'd not contemplate as all that great were considered stars. Glenn Wright is a good example of that. So I don't think it's all that surprising to see Harry. A bit, but not outrageous.

I think I have a worn M113 of Jennings. I'll dig around and see if I can find him, and post his scan.