1915 Federal League Cracker Jacks

For the past 12 years, a major focus our collection has been to build the hobby's premiere collection of Federal League memorabilia and high grade Federal League baseball cards.

Accordingly the 1915 Cracker Jack set, which contains 49 Federal League Players, has consumed much of our effort.

Over the past 5 years, less than 100 PSA 8 Federal League Cracker Jacks have appeared as single lots from the major auction houses (the majority emanating from Mile High, Memory Lane and Goodwin)

Remarkably, several players have appeared 5-6 times, a few 2-3 times and at least 20 of the Federal League players appeared once or not all.

What has been your experience in collecting Federal League Cracker Jacks- population reports aside? Which Federal League Players appear to be the mostdifficult (not the most valuable- because those are HOFs) to obtain?

POPULATION BY SIZE 5 OR LESS= 1 6=14 10-13=24 14-20=11
TEAM POPULATION" Baltimore 5, Brooklyn 8, Buffalo 5 Chicago 5
Indianapolis 8, Kansas City 4. Pittsbugh 7 St. Louis 8

Finally, we'd be interested to hear from anyone who has recently obtained a new and important Federal League card and/or significant piece of Federal League memorabilia. Thanks in advance.

We will see you at the National

Best,

Bruce Dorskind
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com
America's Toughest Want List

[FrankWakefield]

I know a bit about the Cracker Jack cards, and know that there's more for me to learn about them. For some reason I have in my head that the George Suggs card is a good one to try to get. Bruce, you didn't mention your experience or beliefs about such, what do you think?

[packs]

It has been my experience that the ultra high grade Federal League cards are harder to come by because for whatever reason the card stock seems to be produce condescension when slabbed.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by packs

...the card stock seems to be produce condescension when slabbed.

Best. Typo. Ever.

[barrysloate]

I don't think it was a typo!

[Jim VB]

If it wasn't a typo, then I tip my hat to packs.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

I know a bit about the Cracker Jack cards, and know that there's more for me to learn about them. For some reason I have in my head that the George Suggs card is a good one to try to get. Bruce, you didn't mention your experience or beliefs about such, what do you think?

Sorry Frank. With Bruce, it's a one way street.

[Exhibitman]

A nice and tough (IMO) Federal League issue is W530. I know Tinker is identified as the manager of the Chicago Federals. There may be others.

As for CJ's, I don't think there are short prints of the FL players, at least to the extent I was looking for them. I was able to pick up a Kauf and a Plank almost immediately after I decided to get them.

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

Gee Bruce in post 13 you say this:

3. As for Mr. Suggs- we recently obtained his card from a Board Member who responded to one of our most recent America's Toughest Want List posts.

Yet in your a later post you say you obtained the card in an auction.

You wonder why people question you and treat you the way you do.

What business are you in? If I need services in that area I want to be sure I call you first. I think we would all like the opportunity to hire you.

Lee

That was our mistake- we obtained Suggs privately from a Board member.

Good catch.

Our business is global consulting for world class corporations and mergers and acquisitions. Because of the nature of our work, we do not have a web site.


Thanks for your inquiry


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

[tbob]

I didn't notice the Suggs card being that much tougher in the set but then again I don't collect the Cracker Jack sets. I sold one on ebay a couple of years ago which was either an SGC 60 or PSA 5 (can't remember which) and it brought a good, not great price.

[plasorsa]

I recently purchased a letter written by Ed Harter of the Indianapolis Federal League. It was written on August 11, 1914 to H.W. Lanigan, editor of The Base Ball World, 1508 W. Dearborn St. Chicago Il.

The letter says
"Dear Sirs, The supply of Base Ball World sent to our Park has been entirely exhausted, in fact the fans fought for them and am glad to advise that the fans didn't leave them lying on the ground but took them home. We had five boys distributing them and the fans curious to know what was being distributed congregated around but their curiousity soon turned to anxiety when they found The Base Ball World and they were nearly all gone. They fairly fought for them. Pleased to state no one was killed in the rush. Federal fans appreciate your dandy paper but no more than we do ourselves. We are certainly for you and appreciate your fairness to our new league. With Kindest Regards"

I am Yours Very Truly,

Ed W. Harter (his actual signature in fountain pen)

Business Manager