Fun things added to blank back cards

[brianp-beme]

Here are a couple that have transfers on them, including one of James Cagney, that Buck Barker needed to work around while writing down research on the player on front.

[brianp-beme]

Here are some that represent the world of artistic endeavor and graphic design. Please stop staring at the palm tree in the background of the card on the upper left, a little WW1 aviator design, make your own deck of cards, the six fingered hand of horror(!), and a little love to create a happy ending (please note that the human heart has been shot through with an arrow, which of course is considered hazardous to health and well-being).

[brianp-beme]

Stamps added for a variety of purposes...directing a player where to sign card (card is unsigned), business addresses, receipts, theater admission, stamp your name multiple times, and a rabbit with a carrot for good measure.

[brianp-beme]

Here are some examples of cards utilized for informational purposes...typed (they ran this one through the typewriter in typical destroy your Zeenut fashion), yearly stats, updates on careers, line-ups, a Buck Barker of a tough to nail down player. My favorites are the blue ink stat recap of a very good player who needed all his great achievements smooshed into illegibility, and the "Good Outfielder" who was fired for drinking his favorite XXX beverage.

[brianp-beme]

Which leads us to cards extolling the virtues of the ballplayer, especially one kid who perhaps was considering a future in sports writing, with descriptive phrases such as "a darn fast man", "a good pitcher an(d) sticker and hitter", and a "flossy twirler", predictions about an up and comer, and even a fair admission that he just doesn't remember Jacobs very well. His competitor only could produce "make things look too easy". Better step it up a notch if you want that daily column, kid.

[brianp-beme]

On the flip side are the negative criticism and flat out insults. I know I would feel pretty low if I were identified as a mediocre pitcher, or a punk relief pitcher, or as a "Man(ager) Pitcher of Seattle, not much of either", or called out as a big fool (could have been either for player or new owner of the card). My favorite insult of all time is the one with "Meusel is nothing but an old flat lunch". And nothing could be worse than being called an old flat lunch.

[brianp-beme]

The world is not such a bad place, as witnessed on the back of these Zeenuts. Cole was a lucky recipient of the top left card, as evidenced by "Dear Cole, here are your pictur(e)s". "This Zee-nut was got by Harold Hague and I am trying to see how far it will go" is perhaps a pay-it-forward scheme, "To be given away to anybody who wants it" sounds pretty generous, and Bob Brabo utilized his last name to coin a new word..."Bob Brabo...TRAB you for any other pictore".

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

On the flip side are the negative criticism and flat out insults. I know I would feel pretty low if I were identified as a mediocre pitcher, or a punk relief pitcher, or as a "Man(ager) Pitcher of Seattle, not much of either", or called out as a big fool (could have been either for player or new owner of the card). My favorite insult of all time is the one with "Meusel is nothing but an old flat lunch". And nothing could be worse than being called an old flat lunch.

I think it's "old flat lard"...which doesn't make sense either but is pretty close to "old fat lard". Notice how his earlier "a" looks a lot like a "u". Just a thought...

and awesome thread!