Thoughts On Vintage Snapshot Photographs

[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.

[jb217676]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

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 told 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.

I picked up the Gomez, Ruffing & McCarthy from that collection (You beat me on the Sewell!) I was in on some others but got outbid!

[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.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

Seeing a candid amateur snapshot is special, it's a glimpse of a craze fan trying to meet their baseball hero.

Perfectly said!

[jb217676]

Originally Posted by 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.

"Baseball snapshots are the bastards in the baseball hobby.They seem to forgotten and alone in their own category."

I wonder if the same was said about baseball postcards before they became the valuable collectibles they are today. Maybe it's good to get in on the "ground floor" of an area in collecting that hasn't had much attention paid to it?