1926 Sports Co. of America Spalding Cards Trade Ad

[paul]

Thanks, Carl. I had no idea the Cobb had a 1927 copyright date. I remember when it was auctioned. It was handcut and sold as very rare, but I didn't know it was literally one of a kind.

[drdduet]

Cool piece, Thank for sharing!

[oldjudge]

If I'm not mistaken, the original find of these cards (or a major find) was made in the early 90's by Alan Hager.

[insidethewrapper]

I remember doing a show probably back in the '80's and this guy walked in with a lot of these cards. I couldn't find them in any priceguide, but I offered a price and he refused. Never seen any again. I really wanted them since he had I remember a Ruth in the lot.

[oaks1912]

Jay... I seem to recall that it was Bill Hughes who made the first discovery of a large lot in uncirculated condition, then Alan Hager found a similar group shortly thereafter . We had seen them circulating on the West Coast for years, but never in such large quantities or nice condition.... On another note.... GREAT AD piece !!

[rhettyeakley]

Weren't Alan Hager's in uncut sheets that he (or someone associated w/ him) cut up & then had graded by ASA (his own grading co.), also, I believe they had the ad backs (not the bio backs normally found).
-Rhett

[paul]

I think Hager's claim to fame was a find of the "ad back" cards (as opposed to the "biography back" cards. There are certainly a lot of handcut cards out there. I'm not sure if those originate from Hager or not, and I'm not sure if they're the ad backs or not.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by drdduet

Cool piece, Thank for sharing!

Agreed - very interesting and finally sheds some light on a mysterious set. I used to have three track and field cards from the set, each with the original coupon and envelope. Only have a copyright Nov, '26 Whitey Michelsen left. Heck, Whitey's 10% of my collection now!

[Misunderestimated]

Many of the ones discovered were -- as I recall -- found inside the paper packets ....
Certain cards seem to be fairly common. For example, there are several Joe Sewell cards that were signed by Sewell. On the other hand Cobb and some others are almost never seen.