Titus to Richie Allen Moustache Gap

[lampertb]

Originally Posted by Prince Hal

I was blown away, well maybe just very surprised, at a post on social media that claimed there was not another baseball card between the T206 Titus and the 1971 Topps Richie Allen that displayed a moustache.

I've been going through my reference books, mostly the Frank Slocum giant-size tomes, and so far I can't find a card to dispute the claim!

Can this possibly be a fact?!?

... and if so, does it say more about Major League Baseball or about American society at large during the time period?

[abothebear]

Just saw Al Oliver's 1969 Topps RC offered as the record breaker. Unless it doesn't count because Rich Hebner shares it (the card, not the mustache), I'd say he is the new leader in the clubhouse. And as a rookie no less!

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by abothebear

Just saw Al Oliver's 1969 Topps RC offered as the record breaker. Unless it doesn't count because Rich Hebner shares it (the card, not the mustache), I'd say he is the new leader in the clubhouse. And as a rookie no less!

I'm not convinced he has a mustache in that picture. On his 1970 Topps card, there's similar evidence (by coloration) of a mustache on the right side, and on his 1971 Topps card, similar evidence of a mustache on the left side. I think the man just had a mustachioed-looking upper lip.

Did you know Groucho Marx didn't have a mustache in any of the Marx Brothers movies? It was just greasepaint. You'd think such a thing would be very noticeable, but I only learned last year.

[abothebear]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I'm not convinced he has a mustache in that picture. On his 1970 Topps card, there's similar evidence (by coloration) of a mustache on the right side, and on his 1971 Topps card, similar evidence of a mustache on the left side. I think the man just had a mustachioed-looking upper lip.

Did you know Groucho Marx didn't have a mustache in any of the Marx Brothers movies? It was just greasepaint. You'd think such a thing would be very noticeable, but I only learned last year.

I did know that about Groucho. You can tell in closer shots when he turns to the side and you see his profile. And then, once you've determined something strange is afoot, it's more noticeable throughout. I remember watching a bunch of Marx Brothers films back in 97 or so. And I think the mysterious non-mustache was one of the first things that prompted me to use those free trial AOL minutes to do an internet research deep-dive (another was the Pink FLoyd Dark Side of the Moon - Wizard of Oz connection).

[tjenkins]

Can't say ever saw one between 1906 Titus and 1971 Allen that I can recall. That is just crazy if there hasn't been one. I don't have a T206 Titus but I do have this:

[IMG]s-l1600 (42) by Todd Jenkins, on Flickr[/IMG]

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

It's a shame he doesn't have a card, but 1934 Senators pitcher Allen Benson sported a full beard. Talk about standing out in an era where facial hair was decidedly out of favor.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

Did you know Groucho Marx didn't have a mustache in any of the Marx Brothers movies? It was just greasepaint. You'd think such a thing would be very noticeable, but I only learned last year.

Not quite true. He certainly did not have a moustache in the earlier films



but did grow one in the 1940s:





And appeared with a genuine 'stache in the later (crappy) films

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Not quite true. He certainly did not have a moustache in the earlier films



but did grow one in the 1940s:





And appeared with a genuine 'stache in the later (crappy) films

Interesting how on the very first postcard Adam listed, they misspelled the brothers name as Marks on the front, but then properly spelled it as Marx on the back. Definite off day for the quality control people that time.

[Exhibitman]

That is from one of the rarest ESCO sets, a 1926 vaudeville and theatrical set. I don't even have a complete checklist and I've been researching it for years. The Marx Bros card is the only example I've found.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

That is from one of the rarest ESCO sets, a 1926 vaudeville and theatrical set. I don't even have a complete checklist and I've been researching it for years. The Marx Bros card is the only example I've found.

That is one cool card. Unbelievable how young they are.