A pack of 52's every day...
 

First, I totally get that art cards are not for everyone. If this stuff bothers you, no worries--just don't look. Meanwhile, many others have really enjoyed the images of the "new 52's" in the Flexichrome thread and have been very kind and, frankly, inspirational.
I thought it might be cool to post a "pack" every day (not literally every day as I can't some days due to travel, etc.--but most days). With this thread title, folks that missed them may be able to see them.
I'll start later today with the first "pack" lol
Meanwhile if there is a player you would like to see, just post his name. I'll respond if we "have him" or if "we'll get to work on it"

We approach the display at the drug store...
 

If I could go back in time, I wouldn't hesitate. This would be the day...although the mannequin hand is kinda creepy, Lol

Howdy, Phil. Thanks for posting that familiar photo of a dime store in the spring of 1952. Truly, Topps toppled the Bowman empire with their landmark set.

I for one love your fantasy cards. I was interested in your 1952 Banty Red Mickey Mantle with the yellow background offered recently on eBay. The photo of the Commerce Comet with that neat grin is priceless. Well done, mate!!!!! If I recall, that baby went for $309. I just can't swing it right now, but I would love to own that card. Again, nice job, Phil. All the best, from one of your fans. --- Brian Powell

Phil-- if you could time warp back to 1952 for a day with $10,000 would you buy Topps cards or something else ?

You mean something else in terms of collectibles?

Thank you
 

Thank you, Brian!!!

If it's collectibles, no doubt. I'd buy at least enough packs and cases to build an unreal set. I'd grab some cards of the obvious guys plus a crazy nice '41 DiMaggio. Then...I'd look at cars, Lol

Have at it. I like your work. I generally stay away from art cards, but I have several Edward Vela cards in my Paul Blair collection and two of your cards in my Johnny Antonelli collection (1948 and 1952.)

I suppose...it would start with a pack!

First Pack! Low Number Series 1-210...

2. Al Zarilla, 28. Joe Garagiola (horizontal), 120. Billy Bruton, 164. Buster Clarkson, 182. Jack Littrell

Sunday May 31, 2020
 

Sal Maglie is today's pack highlight! A nice Billy Johnson and Rhodes rookie!

Great stuff Phil.

$10,000 to spend on anything in 1952 during one day before beaming home. Cards or something else ?

Cards! ....no doubt. Is that weird?

I’d try to find and buy an Action comics 1.

There are so many things one could buy/invest in if they had to spend $10,000 in one day in 1952 that I'm sure the value of today would beat any value cards had today, but strictly speaking of cards and/or memorabilia, I for sure would buy a couple cases of Topps high numbered 52's as well as as many Ruth RC's, Planks, Cobbs, Robinson's, Mantle's, just to name a few, as I could afford/find. :D

Right there with ya!!!

"My bike had a flat. I had to walk to Woolworth's to buy my pack. I didn't get too many good ones but I did get a Jansen and that little guy the White Sox got from the Athletics a couple years ago...I'm cutting 2 lawns today so I can buy more this week..."

June 2, 2020
 

I was lucky I got to the drugstore when I did. They had only a few packs left.
I got a Warren Hacker--one of Cubs top rookies and a Whitey Ford. Ford was a great rookie in 1950 and his been in the military since then--hoping he plays this year!

Ford will never make it. I've heard he and that young CF and 2B party too much. No way he can keep that up.

If you spent the $10,000 on gold in 1952, what would that gold be worth today ?

I agree. I think the new CF is overrated. He'll be a flash in the pan. I traded both of his cards for a Walt Dropo. Now, Dropo...he'll be a superstar and lead those Red Sox to the world series...you'll see!

Pretty solid pack today. Got a Cat and pesky Pete. Some of the kids were trading their cards for gum, so I got a few extras and put them in my bike spokes...pretty cool noise!

Thursday June 4, 2020
 

Furillo! I'm taping this one on my wall as soon as I get home!

I heard if you out them in your bike spokes they make a cool sound!

Sure do!!!

Today I got a cool Dodger card of Jim Gilliam and hot rookie Ransom Jackson of the Cubs! KenRaffensberger shut out the Dodgers in Cincy last year. He's an underrated pitcher. Stan Musial says he's the toughest to hit!!

That Ransom Jackson is just what we needed to anchor our infield this year. World Series here we come and Bob Rush will pitch the first game!!

No doubt! That lineup is ready for the first division for sure!

Wilson Franks Checklist and some creations
 

Does anyone know how Wilson's came to the 20 card checklist? It seems like a fairly random selection of players. All steady, good (or great) players--I wonder if it was purely financial? Players under contract elsewhere or required too much money?
At one point I had assembled 8 cards but found them to be so oil stained I lost interest and sold them off about 7 years ago.
I'm going to build out a 5-6 card set with a Banty Red reverse in 2020-2021.

Yes, I recall several years ago reading a Wilson Franks leaflet about how to play baseball they included with their wiener packages that discussed the cards to the effect their set was composed of an all-star line-up from each league, plus a manager. At the time, Wilson was the hot dog served at Comiskey Park.

Now, why specific players were chosen, and others left off the Wilson line-up, I have no clue. Suffice to say Ted Williams fans are mighty pleased, while Mickey Mantle fans were let down. Thus, when I wrote my book on immediate post-war regional / food issues, Never Cheaper By the Dozen, I took the great effort and joy to create fantasy 1954 Wilson Franks cards of Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson, each in two different poses. That was an expensive labor of love, but most fulfilling. --- Brian Powell

Can I interest you in a trade???
 

Got a Hector Rodriguez and a Junkman Lopat. I know I can trade the Lopat for a pretty good Dodger or Giant...

Brian! Thank you! Can you send me or post your Mantle? I made one this week and finished the Mays today!

Trade advice...
 

I got the low # DiMaggio today. I'm thinking of trading it for a Duke and Labine.
Decisions....

Yeah, with $10K in 1952 I'm sure I'd end up with a Twilight Zone ending, where all the cards and comics I bought would have been eaten by bugs and mice or my mom would have thrown them out. :D

The answer might just be somewhere between 10 grand
...and The Twilight Zone.

Nothing too exciting today, but Fain is cool and I got some Yankee trade bait!

Really nice pack today. I was happy with the 2 Giants and the Big Bear...but the Doby was at the bottom and made my day!

Ahh...The Great Dimaggio. I can't imagine a player who could challenge him as the greatest Yankee CF ever. Joe never made a misstep on the ballfield.

It's pretty remarkable. He was one of a kind.

With $10,000 in 1952, I'd track down Uncle Jimmy.

The price of gold averaged $38.70 per ounce in 1952. $10,000 would get you 258 ounces. The price of gold this morning is $1730. So, the value of the gold today would be $446,340.

[QUOTE=Jerry G;1989921]The price of gold averaged $38.70 per ounce in 1952. $10,000 would get you 258 ounces. The price of gold this morning is $1730. So, the value of the gold today would be $446,340.[/QUOTE

...and there you have it! Not a bad return--all things considered.

But, hey...how 'bout a pack fresh Superchief portrait?

June 14 2020
 

My folks bribed me into peaceful church departure today with a promise of a stop in town and a pack afterward. My best pack, ever! Of course, I put it directly in my pocket. I'm bringing it to show and tell tomorrow before I glue it on the cover of my Willie Mays scrapbook! It's going to be super keen.

Coincidence that three of these players would be the precursors to another generation of major league ballplayers?

Willie Mays is the godfather of Barry Bonds; Roy Smalley's son, Roy Smalley Jr, would go on to have a nice MLB career; and of course Frank Thomas would blaze the trail for another, though larger, Frank Thomas.

Yessir! Very cool! Roy's kid was pretty darned good for awhile. Smart player.

Wow! A shortstop to play along side Ransom!!!

Yessir! First division...here we come!!!

Maybe even a pennant in a year or so!!!

Hahahahaha...we could have only hoped!

Not the best pack today. There were only a few packs left. MY friend bought one and I bought one. Neither of us got anybody too great, but I got a Kiner!
I heard the Yankees are trying to make a trade for him. I hope they don't. Joe Collins or John Mize along with Tom Morgan would help the Pirates, I guess, but Kiner on the Yankees wouldn't be fair! Damn Yankees...
Plus, Mize wouldn't look good in a Pirates uniform...just too weird.