In a stunning twist for baseball enthusiasts and collectors, a treasure trove of baseball cards has emerged, providing a tangible link to the sport’s rich history. This extraordinary discovery was made by an individual in Northern California and has ignited a renewed interest in baseball card collecting.
The captivating journey of this collection began with a phone call to Auction Monthly, an auction house in Granite Bay, California. In late September, a man contacted the auction house, revealing that he possessed an old tin box filled with baseball cards to sell. What followed was an extraordinary meeting that unveiled a piece of history hidden for over a century. Nestled within the rusty confines of a Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin was a meticulously preserved assortment of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, their origins stretching back more than a hundred years.
The collection belonged to “Ed,” who was born in 1909 and spent his childhood in Oakland before passing away in 1994. Throughout his life, Ed held onto his collection of baseball cards, a cherished possession that survived the hardships of the Great Depression. As his son recalls, his father was part of a generation that never threw anything away. The tin, likely given to Ed as a gift from an uncle, became a treasure chest during his childhood and was rediscovered in a closet after his passing.
Nearly three decades after its rediscovery, the collection has found its way into the modern-day hobby of baseball card collecting, offering a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era.
The tin held a staggering collection of over 600 cards, all dating from 1926 or earlier. The cards exhibited their age and the love bestowed upon them by young hands – strip cards, torn and cut, carried in pockets as treasured possessions. Notably, the collection featured an impressive number of cards depicting the legendary Babe Ruth, with no less than 20 cards capturing the essence of the “Bambino.”
Highlights from the collection include a 1919-21 W514 Shoeless Joe Jackson card, a 1921 E220 National Caramel Ruth card, a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ruth card, and cards representing nearly every player involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. Additionally, multiple Ruth cards from the W514 series dating from 1919-21, three 1920 W519 Ruth cards, a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ty Cobb card, a 1921 W516 Ty Cobb card, and a 1920 W519 George Sisler card were found within the collection.
This collection encompassed several pre-War sets, featuring a diverse array of strip cards from 1919-1923 that reflected Ed’s formative years, as well as various 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series primarily distributed on the west coast.
Upon acquiring the collection, the auction company was astounded by the abundance of Ruth cards, further highlighting the collection’s significance. The finest cards were promptly selected for grading, while others were sold in their original state.
For the world of baseball card collecting, this discovery represents more than just a transaction or an addition to inventory. It serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring love for baseball that transcends generations. Once a source of pride for a young boy, carefully preserved in a tobacco tin, this collection now stands as a symbol of the everlasting allure of the game and its legendary heroes.
Each card, worn at the edges not only by time but also by the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. It tells the story of a boy who idolized Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, and through these cards, held a piece of his heroes in his hands. This narrative resonates with collectors worldwide, who value the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love for the game over monetary gains.
As this collection enters the public domain, it serves as a reminder of the lasting legacy of baseball’s early legends. Uncovering such a cache of memorabilia is akin to discovering a hidden gem that, once polished, sheds light on a bygone era of sports history. Whether for collectors, historians or baseball aficionados, the release of this century-old collection is an event of great significance, bridging the tangible artifacts of the past with the present passion for collecting.
Each card from this remarkable find acts as a bridge through time, connecting the dots of baseball’s evolution. As the auction house carefully processes the collection, each piece will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate not only their rarity but also the journey they have undertaken. From the pocket of a young baseball enthusiast in the early 20th century to a cherished place in the collections of modern-day enthusiasts, these cards embody the essence of America’s favorite pastime. Their legacy continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us of the timeless power of baseball.
