Walter Johnson PSA 6 and Dave Bancroft 1 of 1

[ValKehl]

Awrede2, FYI, the SGC pop report shows a total of 3 Wool's Bread cards, including a Bancroft in SGC 6. Here's the link: https://gosgc.com/pop-report/result/...51%29/Baseball

As you will note, the other 2 Wool's Bread cards in the SGC pop report are a Babe Ruth and a Frank Baker. Interestingly, I happen to have this Wool's card of Wally Pipp which is graded SGC 5, but isn't shown in SGC's pop report (no surprise). I also have this raw Wool's card of WaJo, and there are no WaJos or Pipps in either the PSA or SGC pop reports. So, that makes these 2 cards 1 of 1s to me, until I see evidence that they aren't, no matter what Grumpy Goodman says or thinks (Hi Doug)!!

[Yastrzemski Sports]

The Johnson is very nice. Great card.

I have a couple of thoughts on Bancroft.

The PSA pop report reads: 1921 Wool's American-Maid Bread-Hand Cut(No Longer Grade/Authentic)

I take that to mean this is a now defunct slab - an admitted mistake of a grader at the earlier days of PSA. To me, it looks like someone at Wool's Bread took an ink stamp and marked the backs of a bunch of them to advertise the company as you can see the outline of the stamp on the Johnson shown above.

I am also doubting the grade would hold up - it appears to have back damage.

My guess is that if it was resubmitted today it would be catalogued as a W551 and would be graded 1-2 MK. Your card may have value to anyone who collects retired slabs or wants to add to their backstamp collection. It's an interesting card. Definitely unique and has a story. Good luck your cards.

[brianp-beme]

All cards look original to me, but the Wool's stamp seems, at least to me, to be suspiciously bold, unlike most other stamped vintage cards. I guess the stamper could have been very consistent with re-inking the stamp...

Brian

[Exhibitman]

The grumps are right and the OP is 100% wrong no matter which way you construe 1/1 because there are other known examples of this card. Saying it's a 1/1 because it is in a PSA holder is weak.

But who gives a damn? The Wool's stamped cards are a long-accepted variation/secondary issue and they are rare cards, so everyone who has a genuine example has a nice card that is a great addition to a collection. Val, that WaJo is fantastic.

I have one:

[awrede2]

Very great conversation, everyone! Please continue to chime in on the Wool's and w551 set everyone. This has generated great conversation

What's everyone's prediction on the value of strip cards? They've gone up significant recently. Think they continue to gain traction??

[ValKehl]

Adam & Adam, thanks for your kind words re my Wool's - WaJo card. I got it at a local card show roughly 30 years ago. Back then, (sadly) I wasn't keeping good records of my card purchases, but I know I didn't pay much for it - definitely less than $50.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

To me, it looks like someone at Wool's Bread took an ink stamp and marked the backs of a bunch of them to advertise the company as you can see the outline of the stamp on the Johnson shown above.

That's an offset transfer of the border and a bit of the line at the top of the cap.

[ValKehl]

Seeking to learn more about "Wool's," I found this small, 16-page, undated (believed to be from the 1920's) paper booklet (no author mentioned) (see below) that has an ad on the back page for and that was apparently distributed by Wool's American-Maid Bread. This ad indicates that Wool's was a member of the Quality Bakers of America ("QBA"), which was founded as a cooperative in the early 1920's in PA. I also found pics of a 1916 invoice from the R. H. Wool Company, Inc. (see below), a bakery in Ithaca, NY, to a customer in Orwell, PA.

The QBA still exists, and the gentleman I spoke with kindly agreed to do a bit of research of their archives when he found time to determine if this R. H. Wool Co. is indeed the company behind the Wool's American-Maid Bread ads on the backs of the W551 cards.

The only other similar card issue that comes to mind is the 1922 Gassler's American-Maid Bread issue (related to the W575-1 issue) (see my example of Sam Rice below). This kind QBA rep also agreed to see if he can find any info re the Gassler company.

If I learn anything more about the issuers of the Wool's and/or Gassler's cards, I'll update this thread.

[frankbmd]

I read this thread and wonder what they are thinking at PSA. Overheard in the board room yesterday

"Did ya see that thread on 54? A guy thinks he has a 1 of 1 because we only have his one card in our Pop Report. I think we have been missing the boat on our fee structure. We all know "POP's" the game. Why don't we triple our fees when grading cards that we have never seen before? Orlando's not running the ship anymore. Isn't it time for his "never get cheated" BS to apply to our company too? Or maybe we can just use the extra dough to increase the board members annual bonus."

"Hear, hear"

"I like it"

"All in favor? --------- A resounding "Oh yeah"

"All opposed?"

Crickets