1898-99 National Copper Plates and 1899-1900 M101-1 The Sporting News

[Baseball Rarities]

There is quite a bit of overlap between the two sets. In total, 87 different players are known.

The M101-1 Sporting News Supplement set (the set with advertising date at the top) contains a total of 62 subjects.

There are 50 subjects in the Sporting News "Portfolio" set (the set with no advertising at the top).

25 of the subjects (such as Wagner) are known in both sets.

25 of the subjects are only known without the advertising at the top.

37 of the subjects were only issued as a weekly supplement to The Sporting News.

[Baseball Rarities]

Here is an image of the cover and a few of the subjects from The Sporting News portfolio of 50 subjects that sold in Christie's. It was later broken up and sold off individually. These measure 8.75" x 11.00". As mentioned, none of the subjects had advertising at the top, but are sometimes referred to as National Copper Plates even though they were issued by The Sporting News. All of the subjects has either an 1898 or 1899 date at the bottom, so it clearly was not issued until 1899.

[mrreality68]

Wow. These are amazing

[jingram058]

I understand the HOF desire for uniformity in the display of those enshrined, and the decision for the bronze plaques goes all the way back to the origin. But it seems to me these fantastic images depict what these fellows really looked like. Some of the bas relief images on the plaques are bloody awful, to put it bluntly, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the individual depicted.

[terjung]

I wish I had something I could contribute to the discussion. In the absence of that, I'll just express my appreciation for showing these beautiful examples. Thank you, Kevin (and others)!

[Baseball Rarities]

Here is a newspaper ad from the August 19, 1899 issue of The Sporting News that offered their subscribers a portfolio of 50 subjects for free with a $2.00 paid subscription to their newspaper.

Many people refer to these as National Copper Plates since they do not have advertising on them.

[puckpaul]

A few others to view. The Hoy from only the Natl copper series. The Delehanty (still listed as a “common” in the Standard Catalogue…anyone still use this occasionally besides me?). The young pictures of McGraw and Chesbro (looks 15!). And the Cy from the Sporting News. The backs are a great read, too, will post some of those later (its a little clunky to load the pictures).

Paul

[Baseball Rarities]

Personally, I think that there are three distinct issues:

1. National Copper Plates - approx 10' x 12" - issued as stapled booklet starting in 1898. Each booklet contained 6 players. It appears that they planned on issuing 26 series, but only produced 6. I think that the large individual players that are known to exist probably come from a separated booklet.

2. M101-1 The Sporting News "Supplement" cards with advertising at the top - 8.75" x 11.00" - issued as a supplement to their weekly newspaper in 1899 and 1900.

3. M101-1 The Sporting News 50 subject "Portfolio" cards with no advertising - 8.75" x 11.00" - issued in 1899. Due to the lack of advertising, many collectors refer to these as National Copper Plates. I think that this is a misnomer since they came housed in a portfolio with The Sporting News advertising on it and, AFAIK, were only offered by the newspaper as a premium for their subscribers. Each of these features two holes at the left border so that they could be bound by a string. These portfolios could be taken apart without damage to the cards so that each could be displayed individually.

Has anyone seen a 50 subject "Portfolio" that was issued National Copper Plate advertising on it?

I would love to hear other's opinions on this set.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

A few others to view. The Hoy from only the Natl copper series. The Delehanty (still listed as a “common” in the Standard Catalogue…anyone still use this occasionally besides me?). The young pictures of McGraw and Chesbro (looks 15!). And the Cy from the Sporting News. The backs are a great read, too, will post some of those later (its a little clunky to load the pictures).

Paul

Those are awesome Paul. I personally like the M101-1 Sporting News supplements with advertising the best. I love the fact that they are associated with such an important hobby paper and can be specifically dated to single issue. I also think that it is cool that Burdick game them an ACC number.