Walter Johnson Notebook Cover

[GehrigFan]

I don't suppose anyone recognizes this Walter Johnson Notebook Cover? I'm trying to establish an approximate date for it but am not having any luck finding others online. The back is blank. It is the cover only - no notebook pages.

[drc]

The style of shoes and socks would suggest it's very early in his career. Perhaps early teens.

Just a quick guess.

[mybuddyinc]

SABR uniform data would suggest 1907-1909:

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...r&increment=18

[Sean]

I believe the uniform dates to 1907 through 1909, according to the Okkonen uniform guide.

[Texxxx]

Probably 1909 only because of the stripe on the pants. 1907-08 has no stripe. Also dark belt and white socks.

[bcbgcbrcb]

My best guess on the notebook cover itself would be c1910.

[Hankphenom]

I'd guess somewhere 1910-1912. 1910 because I wouldn't think his record would have made him notebook cover-worthy before then, and 1912 because around that time he began to be photographed so much it's unlikely a much earlier photo, from 1909, would be used. If I had to pin my guess to a year I would agree with Phil and say 1910. Any clue as to the date of issue from the ball, I wonder? Funny they have him (if that really is his hand) demonstrating pitches he almost surely never threw in a game. How cool to be seeing unknown items still popping up at this relatively late stage of the hobby. That's at least three great Johnson pieces this year alone: this one, the Cash Clothing Store card, and the 1909 Washington team composite broadside I got in trade from Clint in Kansas. Just amazing what's out there, and very exciting!

[daves_resale_shop]

Got this one in the Book "Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century" by Marc Okkonen..

The senators uniforms were similar in 07 and 08 but differed as they had a white collar and the socks were blue with a white upper stripe... in 09 it looks like the uni's changed slightly (Blue Collar, stripe down side of pants, and a solid white colored sock)...

According to this book I would have to say that you picture dates to 1909... Awesome piece!

[GehrigFan]

Thanks everyone! I just started adding Walter to my collecting list (with Gehrig and Ruth) this year. I figured I should have a pitcher in there, too, besides Ruth since I have nothing from Ruth's pitching days.Y'all do not want to know what I paid for this. It was hidden in a junk box at the NSCC and I'm pretty sure I got it forunder $25! I also got an early Type I photo of Johnson in the same box for about the same price. I'll post that tomorrow if I get a chance. It is one of the nice versions mounted on stiff cardboard like an Old Judge card, and nicely editorially marked up, which I actually prefer on my photos.

Mark

[Hankphenom]

That's what the National, and any other decent vintage show, is all about, isn't it? And good for you, GehrigFan, we don't mind hearing what you paid for it. I'm sure everyone here on the board can haul out lots of great stuff they got for a song. In fact, I have hundreds of Johnson Type I photos I didn't pay a dime for!

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

Got this one in the Book "Baseball Uniforms of the 20th Century" by Marc Okkonen..

The senators uniforms were similar in 07 and 08 but differed as they had a white collar and the socks were blue with a white upper stripe... in 09 it looks like the uni's changed slightly (Blue Collar, stripe down side of pants, and a solid white colored sock)...

According to this book I would have to say that you picture dates to 1909... Awesome piece!

I would date the uni as 1909, also, but you have to be careful with the Okkonen book. As wonderful a reference as it is, there are lots of mistakes in there. And as I said before, the notebook cover is a bit later, in my opinion.

[GehrigFan]

...but I thought I'd post my other Walter Johnson here since I bought it from the same guy - a Type I News Photo on ultra thick cardboard stock and well marked up editorially. I worked in the newpaper darkroom fieldfor many years as a teenager in the 80's and through college, so I understand the "1 Column" notation, but have no idea what "Can. Bull" means before Johnson. Any ideas?

There is a later (1940's probably as it mentions Allie Reynolds) copy of an article pasted on the back that I hate to remove to see if there is an earlier date on it, but with my experience with photos, I'm positive this is a Type 1 from Walt's playing days, albeit later than the c1910 date of the notebook.

But I'm not skilled at dating by uniform like many of you. I definitely need to pick up that reference book you all are referring to - perfect or not, the sample pages shown were incredibly fascinating.

So anyway, here's the other Walter piece I got for under $25 from the same seller:

[Paul S]

Such wonderful items. Makes me want to work on my "drop spitter".

[Hankphenom]

The uniform in the Johnson photo is 1926. If I had to guess I'd say Type I, but it's hard to say because the resolution is not the sharpest. As for the notation, perhaps the "bull" is for "Bulletin," and maybe that's the name of the newspaper. The "can" might be an abbreviation of a town name.