1959 Home Run Derby - cards and ads?

[Belfast1933]

I have just picked up my first 1959 Home Run Derby card (from a Net54 friend) and it’s totally gotten me into a rabbit hole of the series and the beautifully campy show itself. I just watched Hank Aaron vs Al Kaline…. The opening monologue itself between the host and players is by far the highlight of that show - just awesome.

I read about but have not been able to find ads with Mays and Mantle promoting the show - I thought it may have been in a 1960 TV Guide but also saw reprints on ebay that suggested the ad may actually be in the 1960 all star game program.

I’d love to add some affordable complimentary items from the show and thought some experienced collectors here might have some advice (and/or like to show off some of their own items from the show)

Thx all - here’s my new one/only….

Jeff

[raulus]

A brace of Mays.

[JeremyW]

I remember when Frank had a never before seen Esslinger HR Derby Hank Aaron.

[Lucas00]

Here's mine That I got on the board probably two years ago now.
Bob Allison, this is a rookie of Bob!

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

I love this set, and have considered chasing it a number of times.

They used to show reruns of the show on the Disney channel back in the 80's....that's when I discovered it as a kid, and was probably the first time I ever saw live action video/film of some of the greats of the game (Mays, Mantle, Aaron) etc.


But alas, every time I've considered chasing it, I have wisely decided not to start because it would not be a cheap endeavor.

As far as advertising, I did come across this old REA listing. I don't think this is the advertising you were thinking of, but this is a cool piece:

https://robertedwardauctions.com/auc...lete-uncut-set

[raulus]

Originally Posted by thatkidfromjerrymaguire

I love this set, and have considered chasing it a number of times.

They used to show reruns of the show on the Disney channel back in the 80's....that's when I discovered it as a kid, and was probably the first time I ever saw live action video/film of some of the greats of the game (Mays, Mantle, Aaron) etc.


But alas, every time I've considered chasing it, I have wisely decided not to start because it would not be a cheap endeavor.

As far as advertising, I did come across this old REA listing. I don't think this is the advertising you were thinking of, but this is a cool piece:

https://robertedwardauctions.com/auc...lete-uncut-set

Another one that was restored just sold last week for a pretty penny:

https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...?itemid=151785

It probably helps that this piece was on the front cover of the auction book.

[Schlesinj]

One additional rabbit hole can be owning the contact photo (type 1) from some episodes. Here is a Mantle.IMG_5713.jpg

[Huck]

I like these cards and just like a collector above have thought about chasing the set.

Purportedly, ads for the show were in TV guide.

https://www.thereporter.com/2020/05/...ome-run-derby/

[mantlefan]

You can find all episodes on YouTube. Mickey looks very happy here. He beat Willie Mays 9-8 in episode #1:

[GeoPoto]

With Lucas' Allison above, this completes the Washington contingent.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1692181897
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1692181901

[Pat R]

Why are these considered to be a 1959 issue?

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

One additional rabbit hole can be owning the contact photo (type 1) from some episodes. Here is a Mantle.Attachment 584682

Oh man, love the idea of having the original photo alongside the card - but I would probably NOT love the cost!

But super cool idea

[Buythatcard]

You can catch most of the episodes on Youtube. I put together the following list of all of the episodes with their links from Season 1.
The first season was filmed in 1959.

Mickey Mantle vs. Willie Mays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaxrzW3aSrc&t=986s

Mickey Mantle vs. Ernie Banks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44VtFqVnEM

Mickey Mantle vs. Jackie Jensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV2Juk2YEHE

Harmon Killebrew vs. Mickey Mantle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAMbwIiV80&t=429s

Harmon Killebrew vs. Rocky Colavito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKq4xdoS4vE&t=458s

Ken Boyer vs. Harmon Killebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0avExaz2Rg

Hank Aaron vs. Ken Boyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pZ6Lvddhrw

Hank Aaron vs. Jim Lemon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBj0isVvfuk

Hank Aaron vs. Eddie Mathews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=838ffjJqy2c

Hank Aaron vs. Al Kaline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZLtsEPjyo

Hank Aaron vs. Duke Snider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtkn8oA7QkQ

Hank Aaron vs. Bob Allison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqVv1NzMv-Q&t=169s

Wally Post vs. Hank Aaron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QlJ9EhghFs

Dick Stuart vs. Wally Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKLuPCsK83Y

Dick Stuart vs. Gus Triandos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN9dsm5dhZo

Frank Robinson vs. Dick Stuart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZESIXtRz9Y

Bob Cerv vs. Frank Robinson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7u415RsUjg

Bob Allison vs. Bob Cerv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYWmOKlFXc

Willie Mays vs. Bob Allison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjYdV568NjU

Willie Mays vs. Harmon Killebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBY40L_Rp2U

Willie Mays vs. Jim Lemon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiHOH8rvjsw

Gil Hodges vs. Willie Mays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijR6Qt-O0C0&t=3s

Ernie Banks vs. Gil Hodges: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA43r43PZwA

Jackie Jensen vs. Ernie Banks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1oM-cdFwKU

Jackie Jensen vs. Rocky Colavito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TPE0RlwYOI

Mickey Mantle vs. Jackie Jensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIOUFov-u8

[Bartholomew_Bump_Bailey]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

You can catch most of the episodes on Youtube. I put together the following list of all of the episodes with their links from Season 1.
The first season was filmed in 1959.

Thank you for posting these links!

My favorite was whenever Mark Scott said: "on Home Run Derby it's nothing but an out" (whenever another player would comment about a hard hit ball that wasn't a homerun or just sometimes on a hard hit ball that didn't leave the yard).

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

You can catch most of the episodes on Youtube. I put together the following list of all of the episodes with their links from Season 1.
The first season was filmed in 1959.

Mickey Mantle vs. Willie Mays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaxrzW3aSrc&t=986s

Mickey Mantle vs. Ernie Banks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44VtFqVnEM

Mickey Mantle vs. Jackie Jensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV2Juk2YEHE

Harmon Killebrew vs. Mickey Mantle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAMbwIiV80&t=429s

Harmon Killebrew vs. Rocky Colavito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKq4xdoS4vE&t=458s

Ken Boyer vs. Harmon Killebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0avExaz2Rg

Hank Aaron vs. Ken Boyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pZ6Lvddhrw

Hank Aaron vs. Jim Lemon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBj0isVvfuk

Hank Aaron vs. Eddie Mathews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=838ffjJqy2c

Hank Aaron vs. Al Kaline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZLtsEPjyo

Hank Aaron vs. Duke Snider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtkn8oA7QkQ

Hank Aaron vs. Bob Allison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqVv1NzMv-Q&t=169s

Wally Post vs. Hank Aaron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QlJ9EhghFs

Dick Stuart vs. Wally Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKLuPCsK83Y

Dick Stuart vs. Gus Triandos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN9dsm5dhZo

Frank Robinson vs. Dick Stuart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZESIXtRz9Y

Bob Cerv vs. Frank Robinson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7u415RsUjg

Bob Allison vs. Bob Cerv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYWmOKlFXc

Willie Mays vs. Bob Allison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjYdV568NjU

Willie Mays vs. Harmon Killebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBY40L_Rp2U

Willie Mays vs. Jim Lemon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiHOH8rvjsw

Gil Hodges vs. Willie Mays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijR6Qt-O0C0&t=3s

Ernie Banks vs. Gil Hodges: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA43r43PZwA

Jackie Jensen vs. Ernie Banks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1oM-cdFwKU

Jackie Jensen vs. Rocky Colavito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TPE0RlwYOI

Mickey Mantle vs. Jackie Jensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIOUFov-u8

Howard, I thought there was only one season and except for maybe the first couple of episodes in late 1959 most of the episodes were filmed starting in early 1960?

[Huck]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Run_Derby_(TV_series)

[Buythatcard]

It appears that it was filmed in 1959 but didn't air until 1960.

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Huck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Run_Derby_(TV_series)

Wikipedia is wrong about the series being filmed in 1959 most of the episodes were filmed in early 1960.

[Farmerbret]

On a side note, I remember watching this program and being drawn to the crude batting gloves worn by some of the players. They look like the gloves my dad used to carry around in his back pocket! I would assume the hands weren't as calloused as they would have been during the regular season.

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Oh man, love the idea of having the original photo alongside the card - but I would probably NOT love the cost!

But super cool idea

For what it’s worth the cost has ranged between $50-$2.7k depending on who the subject. RMY has sold most of them from what I have seen.

[ValKehl]

Many, many years ago, I acquired both of these HRD cards of Killebrew at local card shows. I have long guessed that the trimmed card on the left was cut from some sort of a poster. The typed info on the back of it was there when I acquired it. Does anyone have or ever seen a HRD card like this? Any info regarding its origin will be much appreciated.

[Grigsby]

These have been reprinted, I've always been weary of raw copies.

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by Grigsby

These have been reprinted, I've always been weary of raw copies.

^^^ This ^^^

[zimp]

Back in 1968 i got back in the hobby.....i subscribed to a magazine named "the ballcard collector",,,,,i sent the editor a complete set of "home run derby cards" so he could list the checklist for collectors to know about the set....back in 1959 my father bought a american motors rambler and the dealer gave me 20 complete sets....i wish i had those sets [attach]BC2.jpgBC1.jpg

[Leon]

That's so cool. Thanks for sharing, Bill.

Originally Posted by zimp

Back in 1968 i got back in the hobby.....i subscribed to a magazine named "the ballcard collector",,,,,i sent the editor a complete set of "home run derby cards" so he could list the checklist for collectors to know about the set....back in 1959 my father bought a american motors rambler and the dealer gave me 20 complete sets....i wish i had those sets [attach]Attachment 586827Attachment 586826

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Many, many years ago, I acquired both of these HRD cards of Killebrew at local card shows. I have long guessed that the trimmed card on the left was cut from some sort of a poster. The typed info on the back of it was there when I acquired it. Does anyone have or ever seen a HRD card like this? Any info regarding its origin will be much appreciated.

I have never seen a hand-typed HRD I believed was real. I would be interested to see if anyone had a slabbed copy that any TPG passed.

These copies are somewhat common, are always hand cut, look to have incorrect stock and I just can't believe in anything with typewriter font on the reverse. It's an illogical addition as paying a secretary to hand-type ads that do not even advertise a specific dealer is asinine. To assume that is real, is to assume that corporate Chrysler was sending 1000's of hand typed cards out generically without having the same printer apply it, using a hand stamp, or any number of 100's of times more efficient processes.

These are also fresh in my mind after the discussion of lack of knowledge from the hosts of that "Chasing Cardboard" YouTube show recently. They misidentify a stack of real T206s (in my estimation) in a very theoretical "expert" way as fake, but became obsessed with attempting to buy what I thought were obvious HRD reprints. They were of the exact same type.

These fake items were seemingly just as common in those late 70's and early 80's shows or more so than today. The fakes are on the internet now.

[Lucas00]

I've seen a number of these with different dealership stamps on the back. Really cool..
Would be incredible to see a whole set with different period dealership stamps on the backs.

[whiteymet]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I have never seen a hand-typed HRD I believed was real. I would be interested to see if anyone had a slabbed copy that any TPG passed.

These copies are somewhat common, are always hand cut, look to have incorrect stock and I just can't believe in anything with typewriter font on the reverse. It's an illogical addition as paying a secretary to hand-type ads that do not even advertise a specific dealer is asinine. To assume that is real, is to assume that corporate Chrysler was sending 1000's of hand typed cards out generically without having the same printer apply it, using a hand stamp, or any number of 100's of times more efficient processes.

These are also fresh in my mind after the discussion of lack of knowledge from the hosts of that "Chasing Cardboard" YouTube show recently. They misidentify a stack of real T206s (in my estimation) in a very theoretical "expert" way as fake, but became obsessed with attempting to buy what I thought were obvious HRD reprints. They were of the exact same type.

These fake items were seemingly just as common in those late 70's and early 80's shows or more so than today. The fakes are on the internet now.

Justin:

The only thing I would mention from your above post is that Chrysler did not purchase American Motors until 1987

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by whiteymet

Justin:

The only thing I would mention from your above post is that Chrysler did not purchase American Motors until 1987

Ah yes, good correction.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by Pat R

Wikipedia is wrong about the series being filmed in 1959 most of the episodes were filmed in early 1960.

Hi, Patrick. To set the record straight, as I wrote about at length in my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, the entire one-season series was filmed in 1959 AFTER the major league season was over. ZIV shot the series at Wrigley Field, home of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. The weather was still perfect to do the batting. A little proof of this may be heard when announcer Mark Scott mentions about Ernie Banks that he's a TWO-TIME winner of the National League Most Valuable Player award. Ernie had just won his second MVP award late in 1959.

As for the TV series, it was shown in 1960

As for the cards, they were available in 1960. Proof is the Rocky Colavito card. Shown in his Cleveland Indians uniform on film AND on the card, the key is at the bottom of Rocky's card. The card gives his team designation as the Detroit Tigers! It's a historical fact the idiot Indian general manager, "Frantic Frankie" Lane, made a cannonball blockbuster trade THE DAY BEFORE THE 1960 SEASON BEGAN, on April 17, 1960. He traded Indian fan favorite Rocky Colavite to Detroit for AL batting champ, Harvey Kuenn. Indian fans were so enraged, they hung Frank Lane in effigy.

Thus, since Rock's team designation on the Home Derby Cards says Detroit Tigers, the HRD's year of issue is 1960, period.

As for the reprints, they are super well-done reprints, and have a notation on the lower right border, to the effect, CCC 87, which means the Card Collectors Company of Franklin Square, New York issued them in 1987. As I recall, the proprietor was Richard Gelman. I think I bought my reprint set from super dealer Larry Fritsch. They are beautiful, and cheap. I ALMOST won a set of the genuine originals in superb condition, but that's another story which I included in my book.

Hope this helps, Patrick. Wishing you the best. --- Brian Powell

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Hi, Patrick. To set the record straight, as I wrote about at length in my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, the entire one-season series was filmed in 1959 AFTER the major league season was over. ZIV shot the series at Wrigley Field, home of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. The weather was still perfect to do the batting. A little proof of this may be heard when announcer Mark Scott mentions about Ernie Banks that he's a TWO-TIME winner of the National League Most Valuable Player award. Ernie had just won his second MVP award late in 1959.

As for the TV series, it was shown in 1960

As for the cards, they were available in 1960. Proof is the Rocky Colavito card. Shown in his Cleveland Indians uniform on film AND on the card, the key is at the bottom of Rocky's card. The card gives his team designation as the Detroit Tigers! It's a historical fact the idiot Indian general manager, "Frantic Frankie" Lane, made a cannonball blockbuster trade THE DAY BEFORE THE 1960 SEASON BEGAN, on April 17, 1960. He traded Indian fan favorite Rocky Colavite to Detroit for AL batting champ, Harvey Kuenn. Indian fans were so enraged, they hung Frank Lane in effigy.

Thus, since Rock's team designation on the Home Derby Cards says Detroit Tigers, the HRD's year of issue is 1960, period.

As for the reprints, they are super well-done reprints, and have a notation on the lower right border, to the effect, CCC 87, which means the Card Collectors Company of Franklin Square, New York issued them in 1987. As I recall, the proprietor was Richard Gelman. I think I bought my reprint set from super dealer Larry Fritsch. They are beautiful, and cheap. I ALMOST won a set of the genuine originals in superb condition, but that's another story which I included in my book.

Hope this helps, Patrick. Wishing you the best. --- Briian Powell

Hi Brian I just read your post. The information that I found indicates that the filming of most of the episodes was done in early 1960.

The Sault Daily Star Thursday December 3

Home Run Derby The_Sault_Daily_Star_Thu__Dec_3__1959_.jpg

The Roanoke World News Wednesday December 30 1959

Home Run DerbyThe_Roanoke_World_News_Wed__Dec_30__1959_.jpg

Mirror news Monday January 25 1960

Home Run DerbyMirror_News_Mon__Jan_25__1960_.jpg

Mirror News Tuesday January 26 1960

Home Run Derby Mirror_News_Tue__Jan_26__1960_ (1).jpg

Mirror News Wednesday March 2 1960

Home Run Derby Mirror_News_Wed__Mar_2__1960_.jpg