Notebook Covers as Collectible Issues

[ullmandds]

I don't dispute the "collectible" value of these oversized "collectibles!?" I love the detail in the photos...many of which are shared on many mainstream card issues. But...I personally don't like the size...for storage reasons. And newspapers are just that...newspapers...definitely a little window to an event in time...which is fantastick...but slabbing newspapers...I think not!

[timzcardz]

I think that those notebooks are spectacular!

A real step back in time, especially where some kids have recorded there own games in the one.

Thank you for sharing these.


Edit: Collectible? Absolutely!

[Matt]

I tried to word the question carefully - of course they are collectible - as are newspapers. What I'm not sure about is should they be treated like "collectible issues." In my mind, usually that requires a catalog designation, or recognition that something wasn't known at the time the catalog was printed and therefore is logged as a "UNC."

To put a finer point on the question, if you would be collecting issues of a particular player, you might pick-up an attractive notebook cover of your player if you saw it for sale, but would you include them on your checklist?

[clamendo]

We'll I spent ALOT of money to get 4 Football Notebook/Writing covers. The guy cut the spiral and they are like brand new from I believe 1939. The four FB players parallel the 1939 Ink Blotter set called "Gridiron Greats". There were 50 in the series. 16 are movie stars and the rest are generic depression era photos. I sent the football ones to Beckett for slabbing. If anyone has an interest in the others let me know - but they look pretty collectible to me.

[bijoem]

I think they are very cool. But, like everything else in this hobby, its all a matter of personal taste.

For me... if they were easier to find I would look to acquire as many as possible and would enjoy the hunt. But, since I haven't seen any offered (other than mine ) in quite a while - I tend to lose interest in the hunt.

[docpatlv]

I think notebooks are great collectibles. If other items can be in the standard catalog (coins, posters, pins) then I don't see why notebooks shouldn't be designated. As another member said, I think the toughest issue would be dating them. I guess you could put a range, 1910-1915.

Here are some more complete notebooks...




Mike

[Ladder7]

Like the big mutha Premiums. Notebook covers are a large collectible, but nailing a production date for them frustrates me a bit. As there are very few and frequently trimmed, slab authentic only.

Though eventually it could happen. News paper articles, paper cutouts, Spalding catalog photos and Baseball Mag. covers shouldn't be slabbed. -In our lifetime at least.

A recent practice that is upsetting... BVG has slabbed and incorrectly given numerical grades to many trimmed Prems.

Some little brat wrote all over the cover, and included his name and address. I tried doing some digging but couldn't locate any family or aquaintances;

[calvindog]

Surely notebook covers are collectibles; they're just differently sized and a different sort of item from what we're traditionally used to. But so is plenty of memorabilia of the day. I think Steve's notebook with period writing inside is akin to a postcard containing writing about a game just seen -- both enhancing the item.

[Matt]

Jeff - see my post above; we can probably all agree that they are collectibles. What I was trying to ask is different - Are you after all of Cobb's notebook covers as part of your Cobb collection?

[ullmandds]

I've always loved the full sized photo of cobb jumping with ball in glove. I'm guessing he just put the ball in his glove...and the photographers had him jump so they could take the photo. I also love the stadiums/background details that get cropped for the more mainstream issues!

pete

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Matt

Jeff - see my post above; we can probably all agree that they are collectibles. What I was trying to ask is different - Are you after all of Cobb's notebook covers as part of your Cobb collection?

No. At some point one has to draw a line in their collecting habits...because it can become a never-ending slippery slope otherwise.

[Matt]

Great responses guys - thanks! Keep'em coming.

Doc - that Wagner is fantastic!

Originally Posted by calvindog

No. At some point one has to draw a line in their collecting habits...because it can become a never-ending slippery slope otherwise.

Jeff -
Where is the line for you? Is there a specific criterion these don't meet or is it more of a "feel" thing?

[docpatlv]

Thanks Matt,

The reasons I like them are the graphics are often very nice and also the prices compared to cards of the same era are only a fraction. The problem is finding them (especially without writing on the cover...I don't mind writing on the inside).

Mike

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Matt

Jeff -
Where is the line for you? Is there a specific criterion these don't meet or is it more of a "feel" thing?

I think it's a function of two things: first, yes it's a 'feel' thing. As I collect mainly baseball cards I try to stay close to that base; postcards fit that criteria, notebook covers not as much. Second, it's just a storage space issue. Notebook covers leads to x, y, z and eventually cups from Burger King featuring the 1977 Yankees. That being said, Joe D's cover looks pretty much like a T3....not much difference at all, right? Maybe if there was a more finite list of what is out there it would provide an incentive to collect them.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I really like the notebook collecting niche as it presents the opportunity to study/research items that are rarely seen as compared to the tobacco cards of the era. The size is a plus in my eyes as the player pictures are much more vivid.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by Matt

Jeff -
Where is the line for you? Is there a specific criterion these don't meet or is it more of a "feel" thing?

Matt,

Basically - if a collectible does well on the farm team (my collection), then that collectible has a shot of making it to the big leagues one day (Jeff's collection).

Joe

[Vintagecatcher]

Here's one of my Bresnahan 1910 notebook covers. They look great framed!





Patrick