Buxton Wonders Print

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Forrest

This might be a conflict of interest since I'm selling one on ebay, but you guys are going to find it anyway.

My question is, how should this item be categorized? It was probably "mass"-produced, since it was being sold by mail, two for 25 cents, and it's the same basic quality as a R309-2 (glossy). I think I saw it called a "rotogravure" by the seller the only other time I saw one available (I know of 4). Would this item be a legitimate candidate for inclusion in the SCBC?

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Forrest

Wow, absolutely no thoughts on this? Used to be a topic like this would bring out several expert opinions.

Okay, I'll start a thread about t206 commons and ebay reprints.

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

I'd call it a commercially sold Buxton Wonders team print, and leave it at that. Something like this would fit in the Standard Catalog. At the least, there are less card-like items in the catalog (Baseball Magazine posters, for example).

Rotogravure was a vintage process used to print commercial items, including book plates, publication pictures, postcards, prints and even a trading card or two.

[Archive]

Posted By: ramram

Hey Scott,

Did you see the ebay auction last week for the cigar box lid with this team on it? I'm guessing it was a period piece.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1900s-negro-baseball-team-Buxton-Wonders-cigar-box-lid_W0QQitemZ8706988179QQcategoryZ78129QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Rob M.

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Forrest

Thanks David, that was my thinking as well.

Rob - yes, that is the only known copy of it on a cigar box that I have seen. The same seller sold it previouisly, apparently with a non-paying bidder winning.

I have also seen a small copy of the image in a book and in a photograph of a Buxton "reunion" poster from about 1950-60, but I've never seen an original photo or the original poster. The original image is from 1905-10, while my commercially-produced one is from the '40s. I got that information from the seller, who seemed to know a lot about the man who printed them.

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

If an eBay seller calls something a rotogravure, chances are he's experienced. Most people haven't even heard of the term. Vintage newspaper dealers are familiar with the term, as many old papers had special rotogravure picture sections.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob Lemke

The Buxton Wonders print is a great piece of baseball history, but it doesn't make the "cut" for the SCBC. To better utilize the pages available based on customer response, we've had to delete most "team picture" cards, with certain exceptions that have a long history of hobby popularity, such as Joseph Hall, T200 Fatima and -- back by popular demand next year -- Peck & Snyder. Second, we generally do not list items of players outside the realm of "Organized Baseball": Major and minor leagues, Negro Leagues, Caribbean Winter Leagues.

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

Bob breaks the news the day after the Astros lose the World Series. What a cruel man.

Try Beckett, Scott. They're in Texas and might feel your pain.

Actually, I wouldn't doubt that someone will write a book about Negro League and Latin baseball cards and your Wonders card will appear in it.

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

It just dawned on me that in my guide to early baseball photographs, I have section of photogravures(same thing). If I could have verified that your item is indeed a photogravure(same thing) I would have included your Wonders, as I don't have a picture of a photogravure(same thing) in the guide. The guide briefly covers trading cards that are photographs (T200, Old Judges, etc).

Apperance in my guide has got to be more respectable that appearing in a silly old baseball card catalog. If you don't beleive that, realize that the words "1988 Fleer," "Atomic Refractor" and "duel game worn pants" appear nowhere in my guide.

[Archive]

Posted By: craig

scott,

is that the wonders photo that i called you about that was for sale in the newspaper? just curious, its a beauty.

craig

p.s. hope your son is enjoying school. when will that video he shot be edited. i'd love to see it.

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Forrest

Hey Craig! Yes, that's it. He had the same packaging as the other one we discussed, and sold it all to me. So I've got the envelope as well.

My son is doing great in film school and has created a couple of short films since we talked. He still has the tapes from the Iowa trip, and I will eventually get them from him and do the editing (he doesn't quite see my vision for this project). I have so many projects going on right now that the Bussey, Iowa one was logical for a "back burner", given that I've finished one stage of research and the subject has been lying dormant for 96 years! On the other hand, I've recently gotten additional info on the Japanese team, as well as located one of the semi-pro parks (with the help of a RITS club member from Iowa), so I've pulled out the folders a few times.

Bob - thanks for your response.

David - I think the seller might actually have said "photogravure".