WSSCA card show in Seattle (Shoreline) this weekend

[SteveMitchell]

Took my own advice and went back for a couple of hours Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed talking shop with a couple of the usual suspects and two "new guys" (to me): Mark Clatterbuck (WSSCA president) and Jeff Engels who had a nice display of his grandfather's late 1920's to mid-1930's collection.

Mark C. is a personable and energetic guy who, I think, will help keep WSSCA improving as a hobby organization. The club always produces a fan and collector friendly atmosphere with a good offering of the old and new, major and (especially) PCL.

Jeff's table featured original photographs (many autographed) from his grandfather's personal collection. His grandfather was John Gordon "Dusty" Rhodes, 8-year American League pitcher for the Yankees, Red Sox and A's. Features included many Burke originals (frequently personalized to "Dusty") with an occasional Van Oeyen and Brace. Jeff has plans for marketing some of his more unique items.

The day ended at Mark Macrae's table where there is always great conversation as well as high quality stuff - both major and (Mark's specialty) PCL material. Yesterday I posted a postcard-size advertising card I picked up from Mark (Jake Atz's 1929 Fort Worth Panthers/Goodyear tires) so here's one I got at another table. It shows an early 1900s view of downtown Seattle ("Looking North up Second Avenue from James Street, Seattle") with a large green OBAK "Mouthpiece Cigarettes" sign at the right/center. The Obak sign is mounted (or painted) on the building right beside the Alaska Building (so noted on the card) where I worked for four years 60-70 years after this card was produced. Note the single trolley and, except for the roadside, little traffic.

Apparently, judging by the picture, Seattle was a sleepy town with a ballclub (the Giants) suitably fitted in the Class B Northwestern League. According to www.baseball-reference.com, the Seattle Giants played their home games at Yesler Way Park - located between 12th and 14th Avenues. Since the postcard shows 2nd Avenue and Yesler Way is south of James St., the old ballyard site should be less than 3/4 of a mile (as the crow flies) from the point this photo was taken.

In any case, all you Northwestern League (circa 1910), Seattle Giants and OBAK enthusiasts, enjoy this postcard.

Finally, Mark Macrae tells me that there are postcards from a number of other cities with the OBAK advertising like this. One sign, in fact, still faintly outlines the side of an Oregon, building. Mark says its "near Voodoo Donuts - the downtown Portland outlet."