Let's Talk (and Show) Baseball Game Cards...Fan Craze, Tom Barker, Polo Grounds, etc.

[Bosox Blair]

So share your opinions on these oft-overlooked cards. Love 'em? Hate 'em? Collect 'em? Do you have a favorite among these?

Are they undervalued in your mind? My opinion is that they are. And my recent observations of a few sales (especially Ebay) show me this is continuing. A few real nice high-grade examples sold on Ebay recently for well below VCP's recorded 2009 prices.

I managed to scoop a couple from the Polo Grounds set: a Smokey Joe Wood in PSA 9 and the wonderful "Matty" card in PSA 8. I got each of these for about 60% of what those cards sold for earlier this year.

And I was watching as a Tom Barker Shoeless Joe in SGC 80 (=6) just went for $870.00 (prior sales were way over $1000 in this grade).

Anyways, I was interested in hearing what others think (and seeing some from your collections).

Here are the 2 Polo Grounds I got:

[JamesGallo]

I think the low prices are because of the time of year more then anything else. I have been seeing stuff sell for pennies on the dollar, there just doesn't seem to be the money or the crazy for collectibles this holiday season. I think the deals retail stores are offering are getting more people in and grab their cash in place of cards and collectibles.

To answer your question. I do think they are under valued, however a lot of people just don't like them especially the smaller pictures on the Polo Grounds set. I had a tough time getting rid of the set I had and I had a very sharp Wagner, Cobb, Matty etc.

For whatever reason people look at these as secondary cards, much like strip cards.

I don't think you will ever see a huge change in that either. Fan Craze has a shot because it is so early and the larger pictures on the Tom Barker/National Game help that set as well.

Regardless there are key cards in all the sets, but they will always be thought of as outside the main stream collecting IMO.

James G

[rhettyeakley]

Fan Craze set has the nicest portraits, but the Walter Mails set is the toughest of the 20th Century bunch by a long shot. There are many cards in the set that I have personally never seen for sale individually but only in set form.

A few of my favorites...

[rhettyeakley]

A few more...

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks for sharing those, Rhett! You sure don't see many (or any) of those around.

(That Bagby card is pretty scary, though...)

Cheers,
Blair

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

...a lot of people just don't like them especially the smaller pictures on the Polo Grounds set.

I have no doubt that is true - and I have heard it before...yet, the T204s don't seem to suffer for having small b&w photos. I haven't measured, but I bet the Polo Grounds card images are at least as big (not to mention the beautiful historic ballfield image on the reverse).

I do agree that of the 1900-1915 game cards, I think Fan Craze has the greatest prospects for broad collector acceptance. I think one factor there is the instantly recognizable Carl Horner portraits.

...Which raises another question...would people prefer to buy a game card featuring a famous player image, or would they rather buy one to get a unique image not found on other cards (this is often cited in favour of National Game/Tom Barker/Polo Grounds)?

Cheers,
Blair

[Rickyy]

I think its a great way to pick up some HOF player type cards at the fraction of the cost of E or T cards...

I got a PSA 6 Cy Young National Game card for $60.00, H Wagner Polo Grounds and Tom Barker Nap Lajoie that both graded Nr Mt cost less than $300 between the two so I can't complain.

[Abravefan11]

I personally like game cards and pick them up when I get the chance for my type collection. I agree they are undervalued but don't know if we'll see much of a change in that respect in the future.

[DanP]

I love the game cards, especially the Fan Craze. As a HOF RC collector it gives me the opportunity to get a "almost" RC without spending E107 $$. The Fan Craze have great portrait photo's!!

Dan

[Rob D.]

I'm a fan:

[brianp-beme]

The Game cards are a great way to pick up some favorite players on the cheaper side. Like Rhett mentioned, the Walter Mails are definitely the toughest of the bunch. As far as aesthetics, the Fan Craze can't be beat for large size b/w portrait shots of the players (and not just amongst other game cards...that includes all the contemporary 'regular' issues as well). But my favorite is probably the Tom Barker/National game cards, because of their many full/partial body 'action' shots. Probably my least favorite is the Polo Ground, because of their awkward small photo but larger size card design.

Brian

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

I got a PSA 6 Cy Young National Game card for $60.00, H Wagner Polo Grounds and Tom Barker Nap Lajoie that both graded Nr Mt cost less than $300 between the two so I can't complain.

To me, this is amazing value - all 3 of those cards for under $360!!!

I defer to you, sir, as the king of bargain-hunters .

Cheers,
Blair

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks to everyone for showing your game cards, and please keep 'em coming - I'm learning a lot!

Cheers,
Blair

[calvindog]

[Chesbro41]

Someday I'll get this crossed over to SGC.