Let's Talk (and Show) Baseball Game Cards...Fan Craze, Tom Barker, Polo Grounds, etc.

[Bosox Blair]

So share your opinions on these oft-overlooked cards. Love 'em? Hate 'em? Collect 'em? Do you have a favorite among these?

Are they undervalued in your mind? My opinion is that they are. And my recent observations of a few sales (especially Ebay) show me this is continuing. A few real nice high-grade examples sold on Ebay recently for well below VCP's recorded 2009 prices.

I managed to scoop a couple from the Polo Grounds set: a Smokey Joe Wood in PSA 9 and the wonderful "Matty" card in PSA 8. I got each of these for about 60% of what those cards sold for earlier this year.

And I was watching as a Tom Barker Shoeless Joe in SGC 80 (=6) just went for $870.00 (prior sales were way over $1000 in this grade).

Anyways, I was interested in hearing what others think (and seeing some from your collections).

Here are the 2 Polo Grounds I got:

[JamesGallo]

I think the low prices are because of the time of year more then anything else. I have been seeing stuff sell for pennies on the dollar, there just doesn't seem to be the money or the crazy for collectibles this holiday season. I think the deals retail stores are offering are getting more people in and grab their cash in place of cards and collectibles.

To answer your question. I do think they are under valued, however a lot of people just don't like them especially the smaller pictures on the Polo Grounds set. I had a tough time getting rid of the set I had and I had a very sharp Wagner, Cobb, Matty etc.

For whatever reason people look at these as secondary cards, much like strip cards.

I don't think you will ever see a huge change in that either. Fan Craze has a shot because it is so early and the larger pictures on the Tom Barker/National Game help that set as well.

Regardless there are key cards in all the sets, but they will always be thought of as outside the main stream collecting IMO.

James G

[rhettyeakley]

Fan Craze set has the nicest portraits, but the Walter Mails set is the toughest of the 20th Century bunch by a long shot. There are many cards in the set that I have personally never seen for sale individually but only in set form.

A few of my favorites...

[rhettyeakley]

A few more...

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks for sharing those, Rhett! You sure don't see many (or any) of those around.

(That Bagby card is pretty scary, though...)

Cheers,
Blair

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

...a lot of people just don't like them especially the smaller pictures on the Polo Grounds set.

I have no doubt that is true - and I have heard it before...yet, the T204s don't seem to suffer for having small b&w photos. I haven't measured, but I bet the Polo Grounds card images are at least as big (not to mention the beautiful historic ballfield image on the reverse).

I do agree that of the 1900-1915 game cards, I think Fan Craze has the greatest prospects for broad collector acceptance. I think one factor there is the instantly recognizable Carl Horner portraits.

...Which raises another question...would people prefer to buy a game card featuring a famous player image, or would they rather buy one to get a unique image not found on other cards (this is often cited in favour of National Game/Tom Barker/Polo Grounds)?

Cheers,
Blair

[Rickyy]

I think its a great way to pick up some HOF player type cards at the fraction of the cost of E or T cards...

I got a PSA 6 Cy Young National Game card for $60.00, H Wagner Polo Grounds and Tom Barker Nap Lajoie that both graded Nr Mt cost less than $300 between the two so I can't complain.

[Abravefan11]

I personally like game cards and pick them up when I get the chance for my type collection. I agree they are undervalued but don't know if we'll see much of a change in that respect in the future.

[DanP]

I love the game cards, especially the Fan Craze. As a HOF RC collector it gives me the opportunity to get a "almost" RC without spending E107 $$. The Fan Craze have great portrait photo's!!

Dan

[Rob D.]

I'm a fan:

[brianp-beme]

The Game cards are a great way to pick up some favorite players on the cheaper side. Like Rhett mentioned, the Walter Mails are definitely the toughest of the bunch. As far as aesthetics, the Fan Craze can't be beat for large size b/w portrait shots of the players (and not just amongst other game cards...that includes all the contemporary 'regular' issues as well). But my favorite is probably the Tom Barker/National game cards, because of their many full/partial body 'action' shots. Probably my least favorite is the Polo Ground, because of their awkward small photo but larger size card design.

Brian

[ullmandds]

I personally have never really cared for these playing cards and I do not own any of them at this time. I can certainly appreciate the value and the unique poses BUT I don't see myself buying any in the foreseeable future.

[jcmtiger]

These are the only game cards that I own. My interest is Cobb, not game cards.

Joe

[Leon]

Unfortunately the Walter Mails set, though I love it, isn't close to the toughest 20th century game set. The Alleghenys would be, by definition, since only 1 full set is known. I too like the game cards more than most and think it's a great way to pick up fairly inexpensive HOF poses that would be an arm and a leg, in other series. Here are a few game cards....

[docpatlv]

Leon,

At 1-of-1's the Allegheny would definitely be most rare, but how was the game actually played. It states baseball card game on the back of each, but the cards do not have any of the typical game card captions (i.e. Walk, Strike Out, Single).

Do you know how the actual game was to be played?

Mike

[Leon]

Originally Posted by docpatlv

Leon,

At 1-of-1's the Allegheny would most definitely be most rare, but how was the game actually played. It states baseball card game on the back of each, but the cards do not have any of the typical game card captions (i.e. Walk, Strike Out, Single).

Do you know how the actual game was to be played?

Mike

Mike- In one of my old auction catalogs I have where the full set of Alleghenys was sold. It came with the box too. It would take quite a while to go find it and I am not sure if the rules were with it, but I would guess they were. Other than that I don't know any specifics on how it was played. Here are a few more scans and cards too.....As for 19th century game cards, no doubt the Alpha Engraving cards are the rarest, imo.

[rhettyeakley]

Leon, obviously you are correct in regards to the Allegheny set being the toughest 20th Century game set as there is one set known. With my statement above I was thinking along the lines of the ones being in the ACC... WG2 and on up (Fan Craze, Tom Barker, National Game, Walter Mails, S&S, Polo Grounds, etc.). I have also always wondered how one actually "played" the Allegheny cards, that would be interesting--but the WG1's had to have been a complex game as there is a lot going on on the front of those cards and I don't know we have ever found any instructions for it.
-Rhett

[Leon]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

Leon, obviously you are correct in regards to the Allegheny set being the toughest 20th Century game set as there is one set known. With my statement above I was thinking along the lines of the ones being in the ACC... WG2 and on up (Fan Craze, Tom Barker, National Game, Walter Mails, S&S, Polo Grounds, etc.). I have also always wondered how one actually "played" the Allegheny cards, that would be interesting--but the WG1's had to have been a complex game as there is a lot going on on the front of those cards and I don't know we have ever found any instructions for it.
-Rhett

Hey Rhett
I think we are on the same page however (don't ya' hate the "howevers"?) Burdick didn't list "WG" as game cards. Bert Sugar did that in the Sports Collectors Bible. That is where all of our "WG"s designations came from. Burdick classified them as playing cards "PL" and I don't believe he even mentioned any of the sets, specifically, that we are talking about. I like the game cards!!

[uffda51]

[bijoem]

Rhett - those are very cool.

Leon - that WaJo is awesome as is the Bonner.


Here is my only game card.

[triwak]

Some games, with a couple of modern ones (sorry):

[rhettyeakley]

Thanks Leon, I hadn't realized it was Sugar who had attached the Catalog designations to the WG cards.

[ethicsprof]

I have really enjoyed the Game Cards as part of my 'type' collecting.
after reading the great little article on billy owen i bought the Fan Craze card.
i also have the FanCraze of Theilman and Ritchey. i have the Polo Grounds of
Smokey Joe Wood, the national game of Evers and Chance, and the
Tom Barker's of Milan,Rucker,Meyers,Hoblitzel,O'Toole.

I particularly like my Polo Grounds Game with instructions,baseball diamond
at the base of the box,moving pieces,and score card with names of
buster and brewster in quite a competition.
I also have the beautiful forest green Fan Craze box which contained all the cards of the National League with Ritchey affixed to the bottom(outside).

great fun.
best,
barry

[drdduet]

Love then National Game and Tom Barker cards. I think the Joe Jax is his best image on a card. The Fan Craze portraits are great as well--Wagner is classic and they also include some 19th Century HOFers not easily found.

[hoot-owl]

Great thread. I also enjoy early game cards from the perspective of a type collector. I like the ground level view of playing the outfield at the Polo Grounds from the common reverse on that set of game cards.

A quick question--is there an easy way to determine reprints from the National Game set? I think one of the first threads I read on this board a few years ago convinced me that my National Game Johnson was an early reprint. I believe the discussion was about how rounded the corners were?

[docpatlv]

Peter M.

I believe the reprints have corners which are significantly more rounded than the originals. It would probably be easier to tell when held side by side.

Mike

[Leon]

Originally Posted by hoot-owl

Great thread. I also enjoy early game cards from the perspective of a type collector. I like the ground level view of playing the outfield at the Polo Grounds from the common reverse on that set of game cards.

A quick question--is there an easy way to determine reprints from the National Game set? I think one of the first threads I read on this board a few years ago convinced me that my National Game Johnson was an early reprint. I believe the discussion was about how rounded the corners were?

I generally tell the fakes by the "grainy" brownish look they have. I remember 2 Nationals ago a dealer had a reprint in his case for sale, as an original of course. I was 100% sure it was a reprint and told him so. He didn't believe me and continued trying to sell it as original. Oh well, you can lead a horse to water but.......

[ChiefBenderForever]

Very important issue to me right now because the 1904 Fan Craze is the oldest Bender in my collection and also the oldest baseball card I have ever owned. It's really cool to think kids and baseball fans used to play games with these !

[rc4157]

Great thread, here are a few of my game cards.
RC

[HRBAKER]

[edhans]

Generic, but a pretty tough type.

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

I got a PSA 6 Cy Young National Game card for $60.00, H Wagner Polo Grounds and Tom Barker Nap Lajoie that both graded Nr Mt cost less than $300 between the two so I can't complain.

To me, this is amazing value - all 3 of those cards for under $360!!!

I defer to you, sir, as the king of bargain-hunters .

Cheers,
Blair

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks to everyone for showing your game cards, and please keep 'em coming - I'm learning a lot!

Cheers,
Blair

[calvindog]

[Chesbro41]

Someday I'll get this crossed over to SGC.

[doug.goodman]

I don't have any, but boy those Fan Craze cards are nice looking.

Doug

[ValKehl]

I'm not into game cards, except as needed for my W. Johnson, S. Rice, and type card (preferably, Washington players) collections. I really like the Rice card because it is signed.

[insidethewrapper]

I collect Detroit's from Brouthers to Kaline.

[insidethewrapper]

Calvindog : What scanner are you using ? Also what settings ? Your cards are crystal clear ? I must be doing something wrong with my settings. Thanks Mike

[Rob D.]

Lol. My money is on that Jeff's paying someone to scan his stuff.

[calvindog]

Well, I wouldn't say that I'm paying someone to scan my stuff. But I am paying him.

Mike I have a Canon 8800F scanner and not a single clue as to how to use it. I overpay my secretary and secretly the reason I do so is that he is such a kickass scanner. I am hopeful that he does not read this board.