Fan Craze set

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Posted By: Ron

I've recently inherited a set of baseball cards from the early 1900's, that I was hoping someone would know something about. It's the fan craze American league set, the ones with the blue back. They are still in the wrapper. The set is broken up into two packs and looks original. I've found a few things about it on the internet, but not much. I've seen a couple of the cards on Ebay, but only seperate cards. Has anyone ever seen a whole set? How much would they go for? Thanks for any help! --Ron

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Posted By: Andy Baran

Ron,

This is what the original box that the cards came in looks like. Based on what you are describing, it sounds like it could be a reprint. Both Fan Craze sets have been reprinted. Good Luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1841541289

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

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Posted By: Ron

I've got the board and box too, that's exactly what mine look like I actually bought the reprint set a while ago, so I could open them and see what cards were in the set. Didn't want to open the other ones quite yet, but you can definitly tell a difference between the ones i have and the reprint set.

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Posted By: scott (runscott)

are you thinking about breaking up the sets?

"Teach a kid how to be a good loser and that's what he'll grow up to be" - Scott G's Dad

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Posted By: Ron

The wrapper that they're in is kind of a wax paper but not quite...almost a tissue paper, but not quite. If that makes any sense! The set is split up into two packs, It looks like half in one pack and half the set in the other. I don't know about splitting them up. Is that a good idea? Is there any way to get cards like this graded or at least with something that says they are for real and not a fake? I know they are not a fake, because they were given to me by a very elderly lady who had them in her drawer for years and years, but I would like to get them insured and I'm not sure I could without something saying they are original. Thanks for your help.

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

They're both (you've only got one) listed in the SCD guide, which by now is 1 1/2 years out of date, insofar as it ever wasn't out of date. HOFers go for much higher than list. I bought a lajoie ex for $400 recently. maybe I got gipped a little, but not much.Lipset's auction before last (damn--I can't find it) had BOTH sets, and the blue backs went very high, even though they were in poorer condition than the redbacks.

I'd been collecting Fan Craze for 10 years before I found a blue back (which may explain why I may have got gipped a little).

If you don't want to keep them, I'd think a Mastro auction would be the way to go (damn it--i want some!). They really are hard to find. And, I gather, yours are in great shape (most actually are--guess it wasn't a very popular game, fortunately). But Mastro would definitely be interested.

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

LLipset@aol.com

I don't know why everyone thinks of Mastro first;
Lew's nicer.

No, I do not think people are tired of American League Fan craze cards in Lipset auctions. especially in great shape.

GOD, would I love to have those cards!

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Posted By: jeff

Julie,

would you like these cards? you have this tendency to be ambiguous sometimes.

jeff

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Posted By: Dan Mathewson

Are there any Christy's in the set?

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Posted By: vorthian

<< I don't know about splitting them up. Is that a good idea? Is there any way to get cards like this graded or at least with something that says they are for real and not a fake? >>

Ron:

If they are authentic, I wouldn't split them up nor would I even have any ideas of grading them. While there is a huge market for graded items, there is also a huge market for original, unopened items. I would definitely give Mastro a call.

Good luck!

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Posted By: Andy Baran

Christy was overlooked in this set. Sorry Dan.

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Posted By: scott (runscott)

Boy, would I love to get my hands on those!!!

"Teach a kid how to be a good loser and that's what he'll grow up to be" - Scott G's Dad

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

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Posted By: Tom Lawrie

he played in the National League. (Sorry to be a smart-ass, but couldn't resist.) Why was he overlooked in the National League set? That's the question.

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Posted By: Tom L.

I thought you were serious.

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Posted By: Andy Baran

Julie,

I was just stating that Christy Mathewson was completely overlooked in the Fan Craze Set, regardless of the league.

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

I don't mean to be ambiguous. I think several of us would like at least some of these cards, but we all feel that consigning them to mastro, or lipset, would be the way for you to go, because they are in such high demand in ANY form, especially wrapperd in original wrappers and in mint condition.
Andy: Looked at my Fan Craze Lajoie again, and it looks a lot better. Dunno why. ex-mint rather than ex.

Besides, I just bought a S,.F. Hess Ewing, unless my husband can talk me out of it by Tuesday when it arrives. Some fool (United) sent me a credit card. That'll teach 'em.

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

The "portrait pose" is in the Allegheny set already.