[JLange]

I have encountered quite a few folks with similar goals, albeit for other teams. For me, its Cleveland Baseball.

One of my many pursuits is my "First Cleveland Card or Collectible" collection. I am trying to find the first card or collectible of every player, coach, manager, general manager, owner, broadcaster, and anyone else pictured affiliated with the Cleveland Indians, Naps, Blues, Bronchos, and now Guardians, 1901 to present. While I focus on cards, it is not always possible to find a card, so I have a hierarchy I follow for collecting and "upgrading" if I have a choice of items, as follows:

1 - Card, recognized set
2 - Postcard or Photocard, team issued
3 - Picture Pack Photo, team issued
4 - Publicity Photo, team issued
5 - Magazine, Newspaper, Program, Other Publication (must be cover subject)
6 - Photo, Type I, photographer-identified Photos (e.g., George Burke photos)
7- Photo, Type III Wire Photo
8 - Photo, Type II Vintage Photo Restrike
9 - Cutout Photo, intended to be cutout (instructions to cutout, save for your collection, etc)
10 - Cutout Photo, not intended to be cutout (newspaper, magazine, etc.)

I have over 1,600 different subjects in all of the above categories of card or collectible against a list of over 2,100 known subjects, which of course continues to grow with every passing season. Along the way I have also acquired another 300+ players who never made it to the big leagues, or did so with other teams, but who were depicted briefly with CLE (spring training hopefuls, veterans invited to camp, etc.)

The biggest challenge collecting this way is something you pointed out - there are many players who quite literally do not have a card with your team. I have identified over 500 historical subjects with no obvious card or collectible to affiliate them with CLE. That especially is where the photos come in handy. My favorite card-alternatives are the 1920s-1940s George Burke 4x6 sepia photos. George Burke was prolific and there is a very good chance to find a player captured in his work who otherwise did not have a contemporary card. These photos are spectacular and are a wonderful substitute for a card. There are also quite a few non-contemporary postcards produced by Jim Rowe and others that fill many holes in my collection as well.

The other surprising aspect of collecting this way is the dirth of cards for modern players depicted with your team. Think of the middle relievers, player backups, journeyman specialists, doubleheader callups, and you get the picture - many of these folks have 25 rookie cards with their original team, but get traded to your team for a specialty role for one or two seasons and no one bothers to make a card. When I sort by year the pattern of what I have vs. what I don't bears this out.

I have been at this collection for well over 10yrs and progress is really slow for the missing subjects now, but the hunt continues. It is still very rewarding to find an obscure player depicted with your team, especially one you did not think existed. Happy hunting!