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

[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.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Baseball Rarities

Personally, I think that there are three distinct issues:

National Copper Plates - issued booklet form starting in 1898. Each booklet contains 5 players. These were not individual "cards,' and would have to be torn out of the booklet to display individually.

M101-1 The Sporting News with advertising at the top - issued as a supplement to their weekly newspaper in 1898 and 1899.

M101-1 The Sporting News 50 subject "portfolio" cards with no advertising 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.

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

I would agree with this. BUT I think you meant to show M101-1 Sporting News w/ Advertising at top as being issued as a supplement weekly from 1899 to 1900 (not 1898 to 1899).

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I would agree with this. BUT I think you meant to show M101-1 Sporting News w/ Advertising at top as being issued as a supplement weekly from 1899 to 1900 (not 1898 to 1899).

Yes. Corrected. Thank you.

[paul]

I have a National Copperplate Ewing that is definitely the larger size. It will not fit in my 9x12 sleeves.

[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.

[puckpaul]

Kevin, Is there a five-premium booklet in existence that has the fine still intact?

Also, the natl copper booklet i have came bound with all 45/50 still bound with string, was it also offered unbound?

Where did the larger format ones come from?

[puckpaul]

The descriptions from the Standard Catalogue as a reminder of the established line on these two groupings.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

Kevin, Is there a five-premium booklet in existence that has the fine still intact?

Also, the natl copper booklet i have came bound with all 45/50 still bound with string, was it also offered unbound?

Where did the larger format ones come from?

Not sure that I understand what you mean by "fine still intact?"

I think that the Portfolios were only issued in bound editions of 50 subjects. We know that The Sporting News offered these Portfolios housed in their cover. I am not sure if anyone else issued them. These portfolios were only held together by string and could easily be dismantled into 50 individual cards plus the cover. These are easily distinguishable due to the two holes used for binding on their left hand border.

From my notes, I have the measurements of both the individually offered M101-1s and the "portfolio" cards as being 8.75" x 11.00". There is reference to larger ones that measure 10" x 13", but I do not know where they came from. Possible from the NCP 5 card stapled portfolios from 1898. Maybe offered individually somewhere else?

Do you have any that measure larger? If so, what do they measure?

BTW, much of the information that I have posted is based solely on my assumptions from the limited information that I have gathered. Please feel free to correct anything that is off.

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by Baseball Rarities

Not sure that I understand what you mean by "fine still intact?"

I think that the individual "National Copper Plates" were only issued in bound portfolios of 50.

I have no idea where the larger format ones came from. The Standard Catalog mentions a 10" x 13" size for National Copper Plates, but I always assumed that that referred to the size of the covers of the album and not the actual cards. From my notes, I have the measurements of both the individually offered M101-1s and the "portfolio" cards as being 8.75" x 11.00".

Do you have any that measure larger? If so, what do they measure?

BTW, much of the information that I have posted is based solely on my assumptions from the limited information that I have gathered. Please feel free to correct anything that is off.

I meant “five” not “fine”. Did you mean 50 not five?

If you see the images of the nichols above, there are 9” x 13” ones too (sorry, i cant remeasure it right now, but you can see the larger size in the picture next to a normal one.

[mouschi]

When I heard a thread was going to be created about these, I was eagerly awaiting the ability to read it. GREAT pics, everyone!

A couple years back, I fell in love with M101-2s, and then later heard of the M101-1s. I saw a Lajoie and instantly fell in love.

It wasn't until a year or so later that I knew a Wagner existed. I bought mine from a private collector, and felt/feel like I have something that belongs in a museum! A 19th century Honus Wagner rookie. Just mind blowing to me, still.

The date portion adds a specialness to it for me. Earlier this year, I posted pics of it, and someone chimed in "hey, the Wagner piece's birthday is coming up!" I don't know why, but that makes it extra cool.

Here is what I posted on 8/19 a few months back - the anniversary of the day it was offered to the public back in 1899:



Goofy? Absolutely, but right up my alley!