Question on the 1943 M&P Co. cards

[Archive]

Posted By: Jason

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5193667609&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&rd=1

This is an auction for 3 of these cards. Im new to this site, and to vintage cards overall . I just know the basics, but I have been collecting cards for years now. I love it. But I never got into the vintage era, and that is about to change.

My question is, how rare are these cards, and how hard is it to find them in good condition ? I read a little in Beckett about them. Is this a good price in your opinions for cards in this auction ?

Thanks for your help everyone.

[Archive]

Posted By: David Vargha

Ah yes, the redheaded stepchild of vintage cards. They were originally sold in strips and are usually pretty ragged. The two cards with the chunks missing seem to have been taken to the next level though. There is very little demand for these cards as the crude cartoons on them have basically no resemblance to the players "depicted". The opening price is fine. Collect what you like. In this case, even more so as they will likely never increase in value over the rate of inflation (although you never know).

DavidVargha@hotmail.com

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Each collector will have his own opinions. Mine is that this set of cards is not desireable because the artwork is crude + the drawings are generic (that is they do not actually represent the players identified).

However, if you can obtain the three cards offered for around $10. total, it may be a reasonable purchase, but it is my guess that the final price will be closer to $10. a piece. I think that here are better choices in pre-war than MP&Co. cards.

I like the w517 cards.

Good luck.

[Archive]

Posted By: David Vargha

M&P is one of the few "mid-war" sets. Is that even a term?

DavidVargha@hotmail.com

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Gee, that is right. It may be against the rules to even discuss this set!

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

The cards are neither rare, nor common. They aren't hard to find in better condition. They aren't terribly popular, but are notable as being one of the few during WWII sets as the homeland was conserving material for the war effort. That last bit gives them an interesting historical story when the owner shows them to friends or family. Some think they're ugly, but I compare them to period comic book art.

If you pick up 3 1940s Hall of Famers for $10, I don't think there should be anything to complain about.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie Vognar

I kinda think my di Maggio looks like him, but I haven't seen any of the others that do. The dimag in ex-mint cost me $100--ten years ago.

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

$9 isn't bad for that group at all. I've seen commons in decent shape pushing $10 a card. Go figure. There are obviously a few people that are collecting these, but you should never pay more than few dollars each for commons in EX condition. Dodn't get carried away with paying much for the DiMaggio either. This and Feller seem to appear a lot.

Jay

I like to sit outside drink beer and yell at people. If I did this at home I would be arrested, so I go to baseball games and fit right in.

[Archive]

Posted By: dan mckee

The seller is a very knowledgable class act and has been in the non-sport hobby forever! Bid with confidence! Dan Mckee

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric Eichelkraut

Hello Jason,

I actually like this issue, but let me explain why! I agree with the other people that have posted here, these cards are crude in artwork and design, and they don't offer much visual appeal. But one thing that draws my interest to the issue is the timing in which they were made. Distributed in 1943, this is one of the only sets that I'm aware of, that was distributed nationally during World War II. Sure, a good deal of local issues popped up between 1942-1945, but nearly all of them were only offered regionally or locally. This issue was sort of a dare-devil, breaking the rules...and this is why I collect them.
As paper materials and presses were rationed to the government for the war effort, it's somewhat amazing that this little issue was created. At only 24 cards, the nice thing about the issue is that it's small enough to complete quickly. With collector interest being low, and commons generally found in off-grades, I'd say that $5 or so would be the average price for commons in "about good" condition.
One other interesting fact about the 1943 MP's, the backsides of these cards were made in three slightly different variations. None of them add any additional value, but for those who like to be "completists", there's the opportunity.
With all this said, I'd advise any collector to collect this issue. Good luck with your collection, I hope I've helped.

Eric

[Archive]

Posted By: Chuck R

The same company did a very similar nonsports set (R168 War Scenes) at the same time. 48-cards long instead of 24, same variations on the back, same terrible artwork. I like it as well, for the same reasons...M.P seemed to be the only people putting out cards at that point.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie

$300 in Near mint, $100 in ex and $45 in vg...

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie

[Archive]

Posted By: leonl

That's a very nice looking one. I have a Dimaggio and it doesn't look near that good....regards

[Archive]

Posted By: davidcycleback

A few years ago I had a nice grade set (about Nrmt-Mt, nothing graded), and the stars sold for higher than book value. For a lot of collectors it's a cool thing to be able to purchase a vintage and affordable Ted Williams or Joe DiMaggio. Beleive it or not Kalamazoo Bats collectors, for a lot of collectors spending $100 on a baseball card is a lot of money.