In a stunning revelation for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a treasured collection of century-old baseball cards has emerged, serving as a tangible link to the sport’s rich history. Discovered by an individual in Northern California, this find has injected a sense of excitement and fascination into the modern collecting hobby.
The captivating story of this collection begins with a simple phone call made to Auction Monthly, an auction house based in Granite Bay, in late September. The caller shared news of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he was interested in selling. Little did anyone know that this encounter would reveal a truly extraordinary piece of history. Within a weathered Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin lay a meticulously preserved assortment of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, harkening back to over a century ago.
This remarkable collection once belonged to a man known as “Ed,” who was born in 1909 and spent his childhood in Oakland, California. He held onto his beloved collection of baseball cards throughout his entire life. According to Ed’s son, his father, like many who endured the Great Depression, had a habit of keeping everything and never throwing anything away. The tobacco tin, likely given to him as a gift from an uncle, became a cherished treasure chest during his childhood. It was revealed to Ed’s son during his early years, and then rediscovered in a closet following his father’s passing in 1994.
Nearly three decades after its rediscovery, this collection has found its way into a hobby that, though vastly different from the 1920s, still resonates with the same sense of fascination.
The tin contained a staggering assemblage of over 600 cards, all dating from 1926 or earlier. Each card exhibited the marks of time and the adoration of the youthful hands that once held them. Strip cards, often torn or cut and carried in pockets, bore evidence of being cherished possessions. Among the numerous cards in the collection, the presence of Babe Ruth dominated, with no fewer than 20 cards depicting the legendary “Bambino.”
The collection boasted several 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 featuring almost every player involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. Additionally, there were 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.
This extraordinary collection spanned various pre-World War I sets, encompassing a diverse selection of strip cards from 1919 to 1923, reflecting Ed’s childhood years. It also featured several 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series distributed on the west coast.
Upon acquiring the collection, the auction company was astounded by the number of Ruth cards present—an astonishing discovery that emphasized the collection’s significance. The company promptly selected the finest cards for grading, while others were sold in their original state.
For the world of baseball card collecting, this find surpasses mere transactional value or a simple addition to inventory. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. Previously cherished by a young boy, this collection has journeyed through the decades in a tobacco tin, ultimately standing as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its revered heroes.
Each card, worn at the edges not just by the passage of time but also by the eager fingers of a devoted fan, tells a story. It recounts the tale of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, and through these cards, grasped a piece of his heroes. This story resonates with collectors who are motivated not solely by monetary value, but by the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love for the game.
As this collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. The excitement surrounding the unearthing of this cache of memorabilia is akin to finding a hidden gem that, once polished, illuminates a bygone era of sports history. Whether it be collectors, historians, or baseball aficionados, the release of this century-old collection is a momentous event, connecting tangible artifacts from the past to the present’s passion for collecting.
Each card from this remarkable find acts as a bridge across time, linking the dots of baseball’s evolution. As the auction house processes this 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 undertaken. From being carried in the pockets of a young baseball enthusiast in the early 20th century to earning a cherished spot in the collections of modern enthusiasts, these cards carry with them the essence of America’s beloved pastime—a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire.
