Early Monte Irvin ?
 

I am in the market to add a monte Irvin to my collection. Although I love the 51B/52T as much as anyone I was curious if he had any negro league or Cuban cards, basically are there any rare/oddball issues that predate his 51 bowman.

Thanks,
Anthony

I would assume impossible to find but...
https://imageevent.com/derekgranger/...=0&w=4&s=0&z=2

He's in the El Indio set from Cuba. Impossible to find.

Here's one that I believe is related to the card Peter posted. It's a Trinidad y Hno Amendares team premium. I couldn't scan the whole thing — it's too big. But you can see Monte, next to the Rifleman, Chuck Connors.

Thompson-Durocher-Irvin
 

This photograph was taken in July 1949, the day before Irvin's debut with the Giants.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1661103590

Very cool photo! Thanks for posting!

That's AWESOME! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for posting Geo, Leo Durocher was a stand up guy, great manager, and an awesome human.

Signed, long time Giants fan.

Thanks for sharing. Monte so underrated

I tend to agree with this. He had the misfortune of missing most of 1943-1945 after getting drafted. Most players of his time either didn't make it to the recognized major leagues or played enough in the majors to get full credit as HOFers on the basis of their MLB career. Irvin is the only one who's a half-and-halfer, in partly for each half of his career. Even debuting in his age 30 season, he posted a great rate stat line for his MLB career. As I come from Giants country, I like to pick up his cards because he's one of the cheapest of Hall of Famers. His 51-53 Bowmans are all great looking cards. His Exhibit can be had for almost free.