Bee Hive hockey cards.

[irv]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Dale, Since Bee Hives fall into the range of a regional / food issue, sometimes collectors take an awful long time to notice and finally appreciate something like these.

For the far, far majority of collectors, their eyes are glued to Topps, O-Pee-Chee and Parkhurst.

Stupid.

However, those few collectors who enjoy and appreciate the elegant Bee Hives and their fascinating promotion will seriously wish the gum card guys stay focused on them. I only own a pair of them, and felt glad to get them, as I wanted a couple as type cards. I relish a good story and the Bee Hives deliver the goods, so to speak.

Dale, if you would, please load up a scan of your original Bee Hive ad. I'd love to have a closer look. Would you say the ad traces to the Type 1s, 2s, or 3s?

Back to PSA for a moment, if a MASTER SET REGISTRY player collector wishes to submit a Bee Hive, I for one feel it would enhance his player set handsomely. Really, PSA should grade the Type 1s and 2s; after all, being that the company issued their premiums and photos glued to a colored piece of paper, then they are as-issued and therefore legitimate to be authenticated and adjudicated with a proper numerical grade. First, however, it would be beneficial to them to have a conference call with three known Bee Hive experts to educate them on the fine points and vicissitudes of the given types. This way, the PSA graders will know how in the world to properly grade them.

Wishing you well with your Bee Hives. Please, please, load up a scan of your ad, and one of an original brown envelope the St. Lawrence Starch Company LTD used to send an eager youngster his "free prize".

---Brian Powell

I agree, Brian, it is silly PSA will not grade these. Mine are still original, untouched, just the way they came back in the 30's-40's so it makes no sense to me?
Personally, I think they are great cards and a piece of Hockey History, especially considering their age and the players who adorn them.

I received/talked to a few Beehive guys, who, imo, were experts, or at least seemed to be and their sentiments were the same regarding these cards.

I have watched some E-Bay ads and it is rare that any get any bids/attention at all.
One card, which is super rare of Cy Wentworth in a Montreal CDN's sweater, fetched $8,000 years ago at an auction but there has been very little action since.

As far as the ad and types go, I'd say they lean towards series Type 1 and 2 as my Father didn't have/own any type 3 cards.

I scanned 2 envelopes showing my Father's name and his home town, which is a small town in NE Ontario where he was born and raised. Note the spelling of the last name on one of the envelopes. We still get that today, lol. I always wonder if Monty or Micheal ever got/get their last name spelled incorrectly on occasion too?

Thanks for asking and for your opinion, Brian, I appreciate it!

Dale

Edit: Noticed the date on the advertising piece as October 20, 1953, which leads me to believe these cards were issued only during certain periods and between certain years, meaning you couldn't get the previous years/series cards? The series were as follows. Group 1, 1934-1943. Group 2, 1945-1964. Group 3, 1964-1967.
I know my Father was given a majority of these cards, so the envelopes, with his name and advertising piece date makes sense as that is when he added to the collection he was given. He would have been 14. He is 77 now.

[irv]

Oops.

[Beansballcardblog]

I only learned about these a little over a year ago, when a piece on them was in the first issue of Beckett vintage collector. If you're interested, I'm more than happy to scan and post them.

I love those envelopes and advertising. Very jealous as I'd love to have something random like that.

I actually picked up a couple of Blackhawks a few months ago, since I knew a small amount of them and came across them at a show. I had them graded by Beckett just to encapsulate and protect them. Was shocked at how large the holder is.

[irv]

Originally Posted by wvu_class_of_2001

I only learned about these a little over a year ago, when a piece on them was in the first issue of Beckett vintage collector. If you're interested, I'm more than happy to scan and post them.

I love those envelopes and advertising. Very jealous as I'd love to have something random like that.

I actually picked up a couple of Blackhawks a few months ago, since I knew a small amount of them and came across them at a show. I had them graded by Beckett just to encapsulate and protect them. Was shocked at how large the holder is.

I'd love to see them, WVU, that would be great!

I am glad my Father kept those envelopes and the advertising piece. I have seen a few envelopes for sale but never the advertising piece itself. I thought there were only 5 but there are 6 in total.

I'm curious where you purchased your Beehives, was it in the State of Texas? If so, that is interesting, considering their lack of popularity and the fact they made it all the way down there.

Glad to hear Beckett grades them. I have been told Beckett is a great resource for info and prices. Guess I should join to see for myself.

Dale

EDIT: Just read some of your blog, Kin. Very interesting. I am looking forward to reading more. I see your a Andrew Shaw fan. This was 2 years ago. My son was fortunate to play a game of shinny with Andrew Shaw. He was a great guy!!

[jim]

my issue
howe sgc 40 (909x1280).jpg

[irv]

Originally Posted by jim

my issue
Attachment 248320

Series 3, just like PSA.

I don't recall checking, but I bet that is the only series they grade as well?

[brian1961]

Dale,

Thanks ever so much for taking the time and trouble to load up those scans from your dear Dad of his Bee Hive advertising piece and mailing envelope. I find those beautiful artifacts complement our actual cards we've collected, or were given by our father, mother, relative, or friend.

In my book on postwar regional / food issues from 1947 -- 1971, I was able to come up with original ads from the 1959 Bell Brand snack chips Los Angeles Rams, as well as a 1962 Salada Coins ad that appeared in a Sunday Funnies section.

I would have loved to write a chapter on the 1968-1969 Shirriff Hockey Coins. I ran out of time, money, and space. My aim was to contact Wayne Gretzky and sit down with The Great One to discuss this set, which was a favorite of his growing up in Brantford, Ontario.

However, my introduction carries some small and larger appetizer sized entrees of hockey issue. They concern, of all things, the beautiful Bee Hives, as well as the 1968-69 Shirriff. Since I couldn't do a chapter, I made sure I had something I felt packed a big punch. As much as you guys enjoy hockey items, you still might not pop for the $30 my e-book on a CD costs. Still, I know you guys would love those parts. Honestly, though, almost the entire book is on baseball items, and those might be nonentities with you hockey guys. I understand.

Again, Dale, thanks for loading those artifacts up.

True, PSA and SGC grade the Type III Bee Hives. Thanks, Jim, for providing us with SGC's fine holder for the Type III Bee Hives. I went to SGC when PSA refused to do a few of my over-sized Mickey Mantle cards; I was stunned when PSA turned me down, but SGC came to the rescue! PSA uses their special T-3 holders to encapsulate the Bee Hives, that are extra heavy and tough, and fit the cards nicely. Bee Hives look terrific and feel extra important in those heavy holders.

DO NOT GIVE UP ON PSA GRADING THE EARLIER BEE HIVES. Mount an offensive at PSA. I don't mean a petition them or cuss them out. That will do nothing. "Dropping the gloves" would work, but you'd pay for it in the end--HA!!

Rather, present a serious treatise on the Bee Hives. Explaining to them their manner of issue, providing a value basis from previous sales, such as the one you gave on Canadien Cy Wentworth, and providing a list of would-be loyal PSA customers IF PSA would listen to your case and start grading the early BEE HIVES, and finally, assure them of the names of say, 3 deeply serious and knowledgeable Bee Hive collectors, who could serve as trainers and educators for PSA's graders on the Bee Hives.

By preparing a good detailed primer of the Bee Hives on paper, and as I may have said, after they get it and have had a chance to read it, then set up a conference call with Joe Orlando, or whoever from PSA grading will want to hear them out and answer any questions on grading the Bee Hives. This would be a pro-active approach.

This could be a win-win situation for PSA and youse guys. Food for thought.

Don't forget about my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Thirty bucks is thirty bucks, I know. However, with what little I still wrote on the Bee Hives and the Shirriff coins, you'd get a kick out of those!

No hard feelings if you decide to pass.

Thanks again, friend, as well as for sharing the photos of your son with Andrew Shaw. Priceless! I mean it, man, they are priceless. So glad to hear his experience was great. Hockey players are still some of the greatest people with their adoring fans.

Better go. Take care, guys. ---Brian Powell

[Beansballcardblog]

Dale,

Here are scans of the two Beehives that I got graded:

img822 by kekinsley, on Flickr

img823 by kekinsley, on Flickr

Unfortunately, Beckett graded items do not scan well. The plastic is thicker so that's why they look so bad. I even did it in a dark room. A little frustrating but it is what it is. Also, they are actually slightly bigger than the surface of my scanner. That's why the pics appear cut off.

I did pick them up at a local show. We have shows in our area most weekends but the one that I attend most frequently as a regular seller that has nothing but hockey (he's originally from Ontario) and he had them. They were the only two. I think they said they were his brother's at one time, if I remember correctly.

Andrew Shaw was a nice guy when I met him. For some reason I expected he wouldn't be, but I'm glad that I was wrong. I actually have a (online) collecting friend in Ontario that's buying and sending me some Canadian stamps. I'm going to send a TTM request to him and see how it goes.

I also scanned the pages below that were in the first Beckett Vintage Collector magazine. This was the first that I learned about the Beehives and where most of my limited knowledge comes from.

img824 by kekinsley, on Flickr
img825 by kekinsley, on Flickr
img826 by kekinsley, on Flickr
img827 by kekinsley, on Flickr

Have a great evening!
-kin

Originally Posted by irv

I'd love to see them, WVU, that would be great!

I am glad my Father kept those envelopes and the advertising piece. I have seen a few envelopes for sale but never the advertising piece itself. I thought there were only 5 but there are 6 in total.

I'm curious where you purchased your Beehives, was it in the State of Texas? If so, that is interesting, considering their lack of popularity and the fact they made it all the way down there.

Glad to hear Beckett grades them. I have been told Beckett is a great resource for info and prices. Guess I should join to see for myself.

Dale

EDIT: Just read some of your blog, Kin. Very interesting. I am looking forward to reading more. I see your a Andrew Shaw fan. This was 2 years ago. My son was fortunate to play a game of shinny with Andrew Shaw. He was a great guy!!

[irv]

Originally Posted by wvu_class_of_2001

Dale,

Here are scans of the two Beehives that I got graded:

img822 by kekinsley, on Flickr

img823 by kekinsley, on Flickr

Unfortunately, Beckett graded items do not scan well. The plastic is thicker so that's why they look so bad. I even did it in a dark room. A little frustrating but it is what it is. Also, they are actually slightly bigger than the surface of my scanner. That's why the pics appear cut off.

I did pick them up at a local show. We have shows in our area most weekends but the one that I attend most frequently as a regular seller that has nothing but hockey (he's originally from Ontario) and he had them. They were the only two. I think they said they were his brother's at one time, if I remember correctly.

Andrew Shaw was a nice guy when I met him. For some reason I expected he wouldn't be, but I'm glad that I was wrong. I actually have a (online) collecting friend in Ontario that's buying and sending me some Canadian stamps. I'm going to send a TTM request to him and see how it goes.

I also scanned the pages below that were in the first Beckett Vintage Collector magazine. This was the first that I learned about the Beehives and where most of my limited knowledge comes from.


Have a great evening!
-kin

Thanks, Kin. Great pics and article!

Did you purchase your Beehives already graded or did you yourself get them graded? If so, can you remember the cost?

Yeah, Andrew Shaw is definitely nicer off ice than he is off, but I assume most are, hopefully?

It was a fun day watching my son be able to skate/play hockey with him. He not only taught the kids a few things, he inspired them to be better, stay in school and get good grades, etc. It was a great experience for my son and one he'll likely never forget.

Thanks again, Kin.

Take care

Dale.

[irv]

I have been getting a few inquiries lately about my Beehives, and although, at this point, I don't really plan on selling them, I am curious if there is any new updates/news about them?

Also wondering, if someone is a member, if they'd mind checking out what this lot sold for, if if did, back in 2011, for me?
https://sports.ha.com/itm/hockey-car...a/7037-80096.s

Thanks