Negro League Playing Day Cards

[Cmvorce]

What are the best sets for collecting Negro League playing day cards? I am completely unfamiliar here. Thanks in advance!

[Scocs]

For the most part, you have two options:

1) Cuban tobacco cards of the 1920s: Aguilitas, Billiken, Nacionales, Tomas Gutierrez. Here you will find playing day cards of HOFers Charleston, Lloyd, Mendez, Torriente, Cooper, and Mackey. You will also find cards of near-HOFers and stars like Lundy, Marcelle, Moore, Oms, Wesley, Winters, etc.

2) Latin American (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Mexican) cards of the 1940s-1950s: Toleteros, Denia, Caramelo Deportivo, Almanaque, El Indio, Victoria, etc. Here you will find playing day cards of HOFers Dihigo, Dandridge, Ray Brown, Leon Day, Hilton Smith, and Willard Brown, as well as a slew of near-HOFers and stars too numerous to mention.

None of these cards are very plentiful but good luck hunting 'em down!

Scott

[Exhibitman]

Don't forget Venezuela. The 1931-32 Doble Aguila/E. Quintana set has some really great DiHigo cards in it, including one with the "Hilldale" legend clearly readable on his chest. Some others guys in the set might get there eventually, like Tetelo Vargas

[Scocs]

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention “very expensive”?

[Cmvorce]

Thanks for the info, guys!

[Frankish]

Yes, most of the iconic player cards are incredibly scarce (those that never played MLB). One thing to watch out for is items presented as cards that (in my amateur opinion) aren't really cards as I generally understand them...handcut pictures from albums, programs, and the like. I see these pop up fairly frequently. They may or may not be collectible, but it's important to understand what you are buying.

Good luck!

[packs]

I like the Toleteros sets:

[Peter_Spaeth]

If you look through Kenny Cole's posts you'll see some amazing examples.

[Scocs]

Also, reach out to member Phil Garry on the Forum. He publishes a Negro League Baseball Collectibles Guide that contains a LOT of cards, postcards, and photographs.