Brian Powell's Book - Personal Recommendation
 

I am sure many of you have seen fellow board member Brian Powell (brian1961) make references to the book he has written on vintage regional and food issue sets. (Never Cheaper By the Dozen) Not long ago one of those mentions piqued my interest and I sent Brian a pm to inquire more about his book. He told me a bit more about it and I decided to give it a read and greatly enjoyed it. Brian was also kind enough to answer a number of follow up questions that I had about the cards, events, and people featured in the book.

As someone that did not grow collecting during the 50s-70s the book contained lots of good information about the individual sets, some of which I knew very little about. What made the book entertaining for me though was the stories of the individual collectors and the lengths they went though to acquire that special card or complete a set. My favorite story involves a young Dodger fan going to great lengths to acquire a Morrell Meats Sandy Koufax.

Full disclosure: After Brian was kind enough to share his knowledge and experience to answer the additional questions I had for him I asked if he would be OK with me posting this endorsement. Brian have me permission to make this post but did not solicit it. Trying to get information about non-mainstream cards can be like pulling teeth so I am happy to try to help out someone that I have found that is graciously willing to share.

Absolutely endorse his book, as well!!!!
Great read and incredible eye to detail.

Kudos to you Brian.
And thank you.

- Mark

Agreed 100%. This book is terrific and provides an incredibly interesting perspective on these cards. I got a copy and absolutely love it. Brian is a pal of mine, and I know the effort he put in to getting this to the market, and, at least in my opinion, it was well worth it.

I bought a copy about 6-8 months ago and also highly recommend it.:)

I concur with the above sentiments. Brian is a stand up guy and a great author. I have not made it through the entire book yet but it is very detailed, informative, and entertaining. Thumbs up.

I also wanted to echo the previous sentiments. I bought Brian's book a few months ago, and there is a ton of great information included.

I am overwhelmed by all of your kind responses. I'm very moved. Thank you.

As I have told some of you, now that I cannot afford "the good stuff", and am "out of the game", I feel free to tell my fellow collectors everything I know about these great cards, coins, et al (pun intended!).

Numerous hobby legends granted me priceless interviews, and some of them are now sadly deceased. I wanted to bring as many reputable hobby names into my book, to let their voices speak. I'm a nobody, but I know a good story when I hear it. So, when Larry Fritsch, Lionel Carter, Rob Lifson, Bill Zimpleman, Jack Urban, Mr. Mint Alan Rosen, Clay Hill, George Husby, Doak Ewing, Mark Hellman, James Cumpton, and several others talked to me, they shared what they knew and told some riveting sea stories that were amazing. They also gave me some great stories involving other hobby legends, such as Buck Barker, George Lyons, and Bob Solon. The stories conspired to make these once "free prizes" come alive again, as well as the boys and men who ravenously pursued them.

Probably my favorite source was a retired history teacher who has a photographic memory. He grew up in Baltimore as a baseball and baseball card-lovin' youngin', the only child in his family. He fell in love with the Esskay Franks Baltimore Orioles. I sent him a TEN-page history test on his adventures collecting those beautiful cards. He took the test seriously and gave me a simply marvelous and very delightful personal portrayal of his life during those two years Esskay issued them. He was just 10-11 years old, and remembered those events as if they were yesterday.

Why is that card so special?

Why are they so hard to come by?

Why is that item worth so much?

What was it like to collect them back in the day, and during the burgeoning years of the adult card hobby?

These were among the questions I tried to address.

Well, my friends, gotta take care of some business, and head to work for the rest of the day. Thanks again for the swell comments. You've made me very happy.:D

---Brian Powell

Hey Brian- I am intrigued. Where can I get a copy of your book?

Thanks,
Raymond

.

Raymond I highly recommend you buy the book, it is great.

Gotta add this though because it is so funny/crazy you can't even make it up. When I contacted Brian about buying a copy of his book he told me how to google search for the information on how to buy it. That seems very normal till you search and what you find is his address to send a check or money order to.LOL

Hi Raymond,

Here is the press release that was issued with the book, which includes Brian's address for purposes of ordering it:
http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.co...now-available/

It's well worth it.

Brian's book
 

I just wanted to add my own recommendation for this book. I bought it a little over a year ago, and I've been reading it constantly.
I grew up at the tail end of the period covered, and have great memories of pulling cards out of Frosted Flakes and Danish Go-Rounds, and buying Milk Duds and Bazooka Gum to add cards to my collection.
Since buying this book, I have added examples of many of the sets Brian talks about. I have obtained some Shirriff hockey coins, and my first Beehive photo is on it's way from the Great White North.
I was also the winner of the two different Roberto Clemente Dexter Press (Coca Cola) Premiums in Al's latest LOTG auction.
Prior to the book, I was lucky enough to get a Home Run Derby card from Chris (bestdj777), right here on Net54.
I can't recommend this book enough for anyone with an interest in baseball and baseball cards from the 50's to the 70's.

Brian,

I just received my copy of the book. Bravo, well done.

Z

If you own NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, do the bookmarks show on your computer screen?
 

When I was at my brother-in-law's home recently, he had my book up on his computer screen. I was horrified to see the bookmarks did not automatically show on his screen. The bookmarks are important, in that they allow you to click on any chapter or entity of the book you wish to see---immediately. When he adjusted his computer screen settings, the bookmarks appeared.

So, as a way of reaching out to any of my potentially frustrated customers, if the bookmarks are not appearing on your screen at the same time as the book, please adjust your settings. Your computer may not use the terminology "Bookmarks", so try a listed term that's akin to it.

I sincerely apologize for any frustration I may have caused any of my customers.

Have a swell day. ---Brian Powell

Still loving this book. Thanks Brian for a great vacation read.

Many, many thanks, Chris. It makes me so happy you're enjoying it. Happy vacation to you and your family. --- Brian Powell

I see that it's available as part of my Kindle Unlimited package, but based on these reviews I am happy to buy it to support a fellow member.