In a stunning revelation for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of baseball cards from over a hundred years ago has recently come to light. The discovery, made by an individual in Northern California, has unearthed a treasure trove of baseball history and sparked the interest of modern collectors.
The journey of this remarkable collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly, an auction house based in Granite Bay, California, back in late September. A man contacted them to share news of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wanted to sell. Little did he know that this phone call would unveil an extraordinary piece of history. Inside a rusty Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin was an impeccably preserved collection of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, with their origins dating back well over a century.
The collection belonged to a man named “Ed,” who was born in 1909 and spent his childhood in Oakland. Ed held onto his collection of baseball cards throughout his life, never letting go of his love for the sport. As recounted by Ed’s son, his father, like many from his generation who lived through the Great Depression, had a habit of not throwing anything away. The tin, likely given to Ed by an uncle, became a cherished treasure chest during his childhood, revealed to his son in his early years and then rediscovered in a closet after Ed’s passing in 1994.
Now, almost three decades since its rediscovery, the collection has found its way into a hobby that, while vastly different from the 1920s, still shares the same fascination with baseball’s rich history.
Inside the tin, a staggering array of over 600 cards awaited, all from the year 1926 or earlier. The cards’ condition reflected both their age and the care with which they were handled by young hands in the past, with strip cards often torn or cut and carried in pockets as cherished possessions. Among these gems, one player’s presence stood out—the legendary Babe Ruth, with no less than 20 cards depicting the iconic “Bambino.”
This collection boasted several exceptional highlights, including 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 almost every player involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. The presence of several 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 further enhanced the collection’s significance.
This impressive assemblage spanned several pre-war sets, featuring a diverse selection of strip cards from 1919 to 1923, capturing the essence of Ed’s childhood years. The collection also included several 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series of cards distributed on the west coast during that time.
The auction company that acquired this collection was astonished by the number of Ruth cards, a revelation that highlighted the collection’s significance. Acting swiftly, they selected the finest cards for grading while selling others in their original state.
For the world of baseball card collecting, this discovery is more than just a transaction or an addition to inventory. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. What was once a source of pride for a young boy, carried through the decades in a tobacco tin, now stands as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its legendary players.
Each card, worn at the edges not only from the passage of time but also from the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. It represents the story of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, and through these cards, could hold a piece of them in his hands. It’s a story that resonates with many collectors who appreciate the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love of the game that baseball cards represent, rather than just their monetary value.
As this collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. The excitement of uncovering such a cache of memorabilia is akin to finding a hidden gem that, once polished, sheds light on a bygone era of sports history. For collectors, historians, and baseball aficionados alike, the release of this century-old collection is a momentous event that connects tangible artifacts from the past to the present passion for collecting.
Each card from this extraordinary find acts as a bridge across 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 not only appreciate their rarity but also understand the journey these cards have undergone. From being carried in the pocket of a young baseball fan in the early 20th century to attaining a revered position in the collections of modern enthusiasts, these cards carry with them the essence of America’s pastime—a powerful legacy that continues to captivate and inspire.
