True Pre-War Rookie Cards

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

Or, to play the devil's advocate, the 1951 Wheaties premium (yes, it is a card, with a dot pattern, and not an actual photo), but that's opening up another can of worms! The only certainty is that the '52 is most emphatically NOT his rookie.

Best wishes,

Larry

And all the TPGs got that one wrong too...FWIW, that premium was likely issued in 1953, not 1951.

As for me, I'd take this Campy "rookie" over any Bowman card any day...

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

and all the tpgs got that one wrong too...fwiw, that premium was likely issued in 1953, not 1951.

As for me, i'd take this campy "rookie" over any bowman card any day...

+100000

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

And all the TPGs got that one wrong too...FWIW, that ['51 Wheaties] premium was likely issued in 1953, not 1951.

Some hold that opinion, and they're welcome to it, but not everyone does. Just be aware that it is in fact only an opinion. I've seen the so-called "proof," and am not impressed (if you wanted a photo of Mantle in his home, pinstriped uniform, it would have been a heck of a lot easier to obtain one in ways other than air-brushing out the road uniform characteristics from the photo taken during the '52 World Series with Brooklyn and putting the pinstripes in so that they were just right--sounds like a true pain in the a__, most likely because it would be--plus, look closely--the shadows are distinctly different on the bat and by his chin in their depth. Why in the world would you go to the additional trouble of changing them? Mantle would have taken exactly the same stance from the right side every time he assumed it--that's called habit, built out of playing and practicing since he was three years old or so). I recall reading that they came out when a Wheaties exec retired (don't think they were seen before the late '80's at the earliest), and he reportedly told Bob Lemke that they were created in 1951. Plus, the other photo premiums from the set were the basis of drawings issued with Wheaties in 1951. I personally believe that it will remain labeled a 1951 long after we all are gone, but as I stated, to each his own.

Highest regards,

Larry

[bcbgcbrcb]

Derek:

I have been asked and expressed this opinion many times before regarding the Old Judge "minor leaguer" cards. By and large, the N172's are a Major League issue but do include some players on their minor league or pre-Major League teams. I would classify those as rookie cards due to the nature of the set overall.

[BeanTown]

Great thread and agreed there are many rookie cards of HOFers. Supplements, team cards, magazines, pins, Postcards, caramel cards, tobacco cards, etc... Common ingredient is they were all designed for distribution.

[Rhotchkiss]

Moving a few decades forward, what are Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial's rookie cards? I'll tell ya, those world wars really screwed up cards and add extra complexity to determining some player's rookie card.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Moving a few decades forward, what are Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial's rookie cards? I'll tell ya, those world wars really screwed up cards and add extra complexity to determining some player's rookie card.

I believe that Jackie's rookie card is the 1947 Bond Bread.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Sean

I believe that Jackie's rookie card is the 1947 Bond Bread.

Depending on your definition of "rookie", I would tend to go with:

Robinson: 1946 Parade Sportive (5"x9.5" or 7"x10"), 1947 Bond Bread, 1947 Fleetwood Slacks, or 1947 Brooklyn Team Issue

There are also some cool Negro League and even UCLA Football photos featuring Robinson.

Musial: 1941 Rochester Team Premium, 1943 M114 Baseball Magazine, 1946 Sears Cardinals PC, 1946-47 Propaganda Montiel, 1946-47 Sensacion Premiums, or 1946-49 W603 Sports Exchange + some Press Photos in between 1942-1946 that could qualify.

I have seen some reference to a 1946 Montgomery Ward, but I'm not sure what that is (or if it's related to the Sears postcard). For what it's worth, I have only seen one example of the 1946 Sears PC. I know that others are out there. That would be my preference as a traditional "rookie" card and I would LOVE to own one - hint, hint to anyone listening out there!