Thoughts On Vintage Snapshot Photographs

[Mark70Z]

I know I think there pretty cool and for what I collect only come around every once in a while and go for decent money when they do become available.

[pclpads]

They are pretty slick. Even if you didn't take the snaps, today, they give you a vicarious sensation that you were there and did.

[btcarfagno]

I really like them. I don't necessarily go out of my way for them but will pick them up when they are inexpensive enough and they speak to me. I love the vintage fan aspect as well as the unique quality.

[GoCubsGo32]

Snapshots have been going up in price over the years. That's a fact.

However, the ones you are talking about went for crazy amounts...and I would consider a serious outlier. Lefty Gomez $79..??? Tony Lazzeri $112?! Bill Dickey $64?!? Common snapshots $30- 40? It seems to be the same two people. Not saying it's shill, but I have plenty of these snapshots, I'll sell at half those prices if interested!

[Exhibitman]

They’re fun. A nice one can sell well. They definitely give me a feel for the game and it’s people back in the day that cards sometimes don’t.

[jb217676]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

Snapshots have been going up in price over the years. That's a fact.

However, the ones you are talking about went for crazy amounts...and I would consider a serious outlier. Lefty Gomez $79..??? Tony Lazzeri $112?! Bill Dickey $64?!? Common snapshots $30- 40? It seems to be the same two people. Not saying it's shill, but I have plenty of these snapshots, I'll sell at half those prices if interested!

I think those particular snapshots sold high for a couple of reasons. First, it's the Yankees, second, for their age they're really sharp and in focus. That was the reason I picked up a couple!

[Snapolit1]

Always wondered why snaps get so little love. If someone finds some obscure card tomorrow with Babe Ruth on it, it's immediately big news and people go nuts. Well a snapshot is a one of a kind rarity. I am sure most hard core photo guys turn their noses up at them. Granted, the quality is all over the place and they aren't from a famous photographer. I see both sides of it but think they are worthy of a lot more respect than they often get.

If I had the classic attic find tomorrow of 100 amazing Ruth Gehrig snapshots I doubt it would make a ripple. No article from Forbes. No article in Sports Collector Daily. Seems odd.

[GoCubsGo32]

Originally Posted by jb217676

I think those particular snapshots sold high for a couple of reasons. First, it's the Yankees, second, for their age they're really sharp and in focus. That was the reason I picked up a couple!

I picked up the Joe Sewell. It's not the best snapper but, it's actually the first snapshot of Joe Sewell, I've personally seen. I can see your point, but I think the real appeal to the price is, due to it's actually a set. It's not a random Lefty Gomez, Bill Dickey, etc.. it belong in a very nice set and tells its own story...in which a few people ( IMO ) were trying hard to bid to keep it together. Which is why I think the prices were strong.

[GoCubsGo32]

Baseball snapshots are the bastards in the baseball hobby.They seem to forgotten and alone in their own category. If you see a photo, and it doesn't have the seal of approval of a Underwood, Conlon, or Bain...people think it's not that valuable.

I'm a huge advocate of snapshots, but in the hobby world they're flawed. Why? It's Achilles heel, it's almost too unique. They're 1/1 and taken by an amateur photographer. Nothing to compare it. So people in the hobby don't know if they are getting a steal or getting ripped off. However, on the plus side...you can command you're own price ( within reason) since there's nothing of exactly the same.

When I see a Conlon photo, I don't get the same goosebumps because, it's professional photo taken by professional photographer. Seeing a candid amateur snapshot is special, it's a glimpse of a craze fan trying to meet their baseball hero.

It's great that snapshots are finally getting attention since they are such a unique piece of history. Fans make the game.