Lionel Carter's card columns in Sport Fan, 1955-57

[brian1961]

Thanks, David. I loved reading through Mr. Carter's comments. His writing was always direct and pungent. Why some think he was grumpy is probably because they never knew the man. He was opinionated, true. However, his opinions carried a great deal of weight; he knew of which he was writing. He really was a founding father of our hobby, from a journalism point of view. As such, he guarded our hobby as a pit bulldog, and was never afraid to speak out against something, or someone, who was out of line and veering to the left. A true Chicagoan, though he resided in the nearby suburb of Evanston, Illinois.

Any comments from Lionel Carter on regional baseball cards, David?

I loved Buck Barker labeling collectors who mounted their cards as "MOUNTIES". That was a hoot. I guess that extends to us who have had our cherished cards graded; as such, we are "MOUNTIES". I love it.

I salute Lionel Carter and Buck Barker, and while we're at it, SPORT FAN publisher, Bob Jasperson. Three fabulous gentlemen who befriended and helped young collectors such as I when we were just starting out in the adult collecting hobby.

Best regards, David. ---Brian Powell