WTB: Pre-war basketball cards

[Mikan99]

Looking to buy any pre-war basketball cards. Anything from 1891 to 1939. US or international.

Even if not for sale, it would be great to see what everyone has.

Here are a few I already have.

[Gorditadogg]

I did not realize they played outside 90 years ago. That's neat to see.

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[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

I did not realize they played outside 90 years ago. That's neat to see.

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At the 1936 Olympics the games were played at the tennisplätze, Reichssportfeld in the tennisstadion. The Mühlen Franck card (color one, bottom row) shows the first game of the quarterfinals played on August 12 at 5 p.m. Joe Fortenberry of the U.S. is making a layup He was the leading scorer in the game with 21 points. Jesús Marzan is #8 for the Philippines. He scored two points in the game. The U.S. team back then was picked by a tournament. The winning team Universal Pictures, had 7 players on the team. The runners up, Globe Oil Refiners, had 6. Ralph Bishop, a center from the University of Washington was chosen as the 14th player. The rules allowed each country to suit 7 players for each game. The U.S. alternated between squads mainly of the Universal team and the Globe team. Due to byes in the first and third rounds the U.S. only played 4 games. The gold medal match, played in the rain on a muddy court, saw them beat Canada 19-8. Fortenberry was the leading scorer and the team was 4 members of Globe, 2 from Universal and Ralph Bishop. The members from the gold medal game were also the only ones allowed to participate in the medal ceremony. Bill Wheatley stood on the podium to accept the gold medal while the team stood behind him.


Fortenberry, Joe (6128).jpg
Joe Fortenberry

Wheatley, Bill (7354).jpg
Bill Wheatley

I acquired a 5 pound box of papers related to his basketball career from the son-in-law of Bill Wheatley. It included a lot of items on the Oakland Bittners and the original A.B.A.

[Mikan99]

Coming up to 133 years of basketball since James Naismith invented the game.

- Dec 1891: First game
- 1892: First public game
- 1893: First college game
- 1896: First professional game

For me, the first basketball card is the 1903 Tetlow College Girl.

[Mikan99]

Originally Posted by Michael B

At the 1936 Olympics the games were played at the tennisplätze, Reichssportfeld in the tennisstadion. The Mühlen Franck card (color one, bottom row) shows the first game of the quarterfinals played on August 12 at 5 p.m. Joe Fortenberry of the U.S. is making a layup He was the leading scorer in the game with 21 points. Jesús Marzan is #8 for the Philippines. He scored two points in the game. The U.S. team back then was picked by a tournament.

I acquired a 5 pound box of papers related to his basketball career from the son-in-law of Bill Wheatley. It included a lot of items on the Oakland Bittners and the original A.B.A.

This is great info. I knew about Joe Fortenberry being the guy doing the layup but it's so cool to hear the rest.

[JackieMoon]

Originally Posted by Mikan99

This is great info. I knew about Joe Fortenberry being the guy doing the layup but it's so cool to hear the rest.

Totally agree, thank you Michael that was fascinating to read and much appreciated!!! I own the Muhlen Franck card and did not know that history...

[Exhibitman]

I got nuttin' but I think this thread is fun. Keep 'em coming!

[Mikan99]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I got nuttin' but I think this thread is fun. Keep 'em coming!

You had an image of the 1925 Exhibit Champions. I had never seen it before you provided one. many thanks for this

[Exhibitman]

Right, forgot that one...

[JackieMoon]

A few of my pre-war basketball cards:

• 1935 Cioccolato Zaini (Italy)
• 1930s Chocolat de l'Union (France)
• 1932 La Veche Qui Rit (France)
• 1936 Reemtsma/Sammelwerk Olympia (Germany)
• 1924-25 Dominion Chocolate Athletic Stars (Canada)

[Tripp Trapp]

Hey Drew, I came across this eBay seller “Felix Street Postcards” who has several pre-war basketball real photo postcards for sale at auction and BIN. May be worth your time if you haven’t yet seen what the seller has! Best of luck with your endeavors!

[TheGoatOfLife]

Can all the raw items in the 1st post be graded?

[Jewish-collector]

Nice stuff, Drew & JackieMoon !!! I'll see you both in Cleveland !!! I'll let you know if I'm coordinating a vintage basketball card & memorabilia dinner.

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[Mikan99]

Appreciate this, I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by Tripp Trapp

Hey Drew, I came across this eBay seller “Felix Street Postcards” who has several pre-war basketball real photo postcards for sale at auction and BIN. May be worth your time if you haven’t yet seen what the seller has! Best of luck with your endeavors!

[Mikan99]

Yes, I've seen graded versions of them.

Originally Posted by TheGoatOfLife

Can all the raw items in the 1st post be graded?

[Mikan99]

Wow, some very cool cards here. feel free to post more.

Originally Posted by JackieMoon

A few of my pre-war basketball cards:

• 1935 Cioccolato Zaini (Italy)
• 1930s Chocolat de l'Union (France)
• 1932 La Veche Qui Rit (France)
• 1936 Reemtsma/Sammelwerk Olympia (Germany)
• 1924-25 Dominion Chocolate Athletic Stars (Canada)

[Mikan99]

I just picked up a complete set of 1933 Jacques Les Sports (Belgium). The set has 24 cards. I'll post better pics once I have them in hand.

Hopefully I can safely remove them from the album.

[Vintage Basketball Pat]

Originally Posted by Mikan99

I just picked up a complete set of 1933 Jacques Les Sports (Belgium). The set has 24 cards. I'll post better pics once I have them in hand.

Hopefully I can safely remove them from the album.

Drew, there are at least two versions and maybe three of the Jacques Belgium set. I always thought it was 1935 and 1936, but I have heard 1933 too.At some point, we can discuss some cards and vintage items. I probably have something for saw or trade. I have a couple loose sets and one is an album.

[Mikan99]

I have seen two versions of this set. the backs of the both versions have identical copy and the front of card images are identical but are done in different styles (Chromograph vs illustration).

Keen to see a third version if it exists.

Originally Posted by Vintage Basketball Pat

Drew, there are at least two versions and maybe three of the Jacques Belgium set. I always thought it was 1935 and 1936, but I have heard 1933 too. At some point, we can discuss some cards and vintage items. I probably have something for saw or trade. I have a couple loose sets and one is an album.

[Mikan99]

Latest pick up - 1912 College Seal Flannel USC.
Has basketballs and hoops around the border.

[Mikan99]

1933 Jacques Les Sports album - with 24 basketball cards.
Now I just need to work out how to get them unstuck from album