BF2/B18 question

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

Okay, I know not many people collect these on this board (at least that will admit it.....) but how can someone selling either issue that has been stitched into a blanket and then removed call anything EX condition. The stitch holes are clearly visible. Isn't that a little artistic license with the description? Just wondering. And, how many people DO collect these out there? Anyone notice the HUGE price jumps on the BF2's that were recently on ebay?

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

The thing I notice is that they aren't the SIZE mentioned in the Standard Guide. I believe they're somewhat smaller than either "BF2" or "Ferguson." Also my two are quite different--one has a slightly larger picture, and much more decoration around it than the other. But basically, they're a long triangle of colored felt with a M101-5 or 4 picture attached. Also, the Jackson is clearly cut by hand, and the photo glue shows a bit around the photo, whereas the Weaver is very neat and professional looking. No stitch holes. Didn't know I was supposed to be ashamed
of collecting them!

Thank YOU, Tom!

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

or I'd have changed my trade bait.........! Those are two nice ones. I had a BF2 of Gandil but sold it and now wish I hadn't. I picked up a couple lots of BF2's from Hunts recently and sold all of them for a nice profit and kept a few.

I just think it's odd when you see them on ebay, they have massive stitch marks around the outside quite often and they're being described as EX or EXMT. To me, that would be like a tobacco card having small pinholes in it all around and still being called EX.

Maybe it's just that people assume that their purpose was to be in creating a blanket and if they served their purpose they are still EX or EXMT if the photos are nice.

Need any more OJ's for that BF2 Jackson?

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

A REAL OJ for ONE BF2? Seems a bit excessive! Like I SAID, IT'S NOT IN GREAT SHAPE: GLUE AROUND THE PIC, AND FELT LOOKS--LIKE SOMEONE'S scissors slipped a little. Also, it's very plain.
Also, I don't think I want to trade it!

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Posted By: jay behrens

Julie, aside from the BF2 and Ferguson, there are 4 or 5 other sets similar to these. Show them to MArk and he should be able to tell you what they are. I've been out of the game too long to remember all of them anymore.

I can't say that I've ever seen BF2s with stitch marks before. I have seen planty of b18s and various silks with them, along with seeing them still sown together as blakets or pillow cases. The only "blanket" I still own is a huge 5.5" x 8" piece picturing Hiawatha.

Jay

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

recently for $125+. Since it's Weaver, that probably still isn't too bad a price but I think it's hard to describe something like this as 'EX'.

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Posted By: Anonymous

On the Felts subject..... Does anyone have any of these rare (and ugly) felt cards?? I picked this one up a while back (George McBride), and heard there was a Mathewson and Lajoie known. I date the set tentatively as ca.1912 but would like to know what other players/team exist or if anyone has more info. Thanks Frank

size 1.5" by 3.75"

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Posted By: Lee Behrens

I have 25 B18 Blankets, I like them but will probably be selling most of them shortly.
I agree that the stitch marks should fall under the category of severall pin holes. I personally have never bought or wanted any with stitch marks in them.

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Posted By: bcornell

Julie -

I see your post above - is there another one missing? Blameless, as charged.

BTW, I have a very (very) nice group of 13 B18 commons that need the right home, for anyone interested...

Bill

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Posted By: Patrick McMenemy

I have several B18s, which for my money are still one of the best vintage values. In addition, with a little bit of patience, you can still find EX/MT examples without the needles marks.

The BF2s actually come in two different sizes. The normal size, as seen in a previous post, and a much larger size. This larger size was a premium also offered by the Ferguson Bakery in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It is very rarely seen.

Terry Knouse had a complete circle of the standard size BF2 pennants at last year's National. Whereas, the B18s were often sewn together to create a "blanket," these pie-shaped pennants were sewn together to create a circle design. Finding the BF2 without needle marks with a clean complete photo is much tougher. I'm still looking for a Chief Meyers BF2.

With regards to the rectagular Giants pennant posted earlier, I have also seen a Chief Meyers that Rotmans sold about a year ago. I believe these not to be an issue, but the result of someone cutting up a large vintage full size pennant. Just my opinion due to the rough cuts I have seen.

Patrick

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Posted By: Neal

I am new to this website and enjoying reading what most everyone has to say. I have actually learned a few things about this wonderful hobby. I am responding to BCornell's posting. If possible,I may be interested in your B18s FOR SALE. Can you email what you have,along with prices and conditions. I also collect 1910 Sweet Caporal P-2 pins if anyone has these to sell too.

Thanks,

Neal

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

in which case they're something else (Ferguson or premiums, I guess). He's the one who sold me the Jackson and Weaver--fairly different. I like the posted one stitched around the border--mine aren't. nor are there stitch holes.

They're both simpler; the Weaver is more attractive and better made.

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Posted By: Jeff O

I put together a "set" of B18s that I finished in 1995 at the National. I say "set" because it is one of each of the 91 subjects (including the Kavanaugh variation), but does not include color variations. I even wrote an article about them for VCBC that appeared in issue #6.

I've always been a fan of this issue, and you can get good quality singles on ebay for a reasonable price. They display nicely too... either in full page sheets or framed. Other than a few major stars (Jackson, Cobb, Johnson) it's a fairly easy and reasonably priced set to put together.

Jeff

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Posted By: Harry

One of the auction houses (Sotheby's-Halper?) had a giant blanket made of BF2's stitched together. It was something like 500 of them. Maybe the stitches were taken out and the blankets sold individually.

I think that it was pretty well used, with some of the blankets actually missing the photo.

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

or 'billjo' on ebay bought those I believe. He made a nice profit off removing the stitiches and selling them. While large scans are nice, I just think full disclosure on descriptions is best. Failing to note that they had been stitched together is somewhat misleading to someone who may not fully know the issue.

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Posted By: Lee Behrens

I was wondering if there was any truth that the B18 blankets had a sticker on the back. I have one that has a partial sticker on it. I was going to post a scan but I can't get it to work. If it is true and someone does have one please post a scan.

Lee

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

Just read the last post. I have a Joe Jackson B18 that has the tobacco tag/band still attached - is this what you mean by the sticker?

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Posted By: fkw

From what the Lew Lipset book (vol.3) says (page 2 with photo of B18 and strip), the B18s were folded 2 times and attached to the outside of Egyptienne Straights Cigarettes packs with an adhesive strip that says "AN ATTRACTIVE NOVELTY ATTACHED TO THIS PACKAGE" also showing a picture of a ladies head and a scroll design. Frank

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Posted By: Patrick McMenemy

I was curious as to ways to best display B18s. Over the years, I have made a few custom frames for a few of my B18s.



Thanks to several board members, I now have a good start to putting together a run of Catcher B18s. Are there any square lucite screw down holders available for the issue?

Let me know,

Patrick