1949 Leaf BB set....show us your cards

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Early in the Spring of '49 Leaf Gum of Chicago issued their 1st series of 49 cards. As a 10 year old kid, I was fascinated by them.
Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Honus Wagner....WOW ! ! We couldn't get enough of them.

But, before Spring of '49 was over, the Leaf's were gone in our neighborhood stores....replaced by the new 1949 Bowman packs.







2nd Series cards....Short Prints....these are the toughest post-war cards (next to the 1949 Bowman PCL cards)







Strange printing errors



Show and Tell us your 1949 LEAF BB cards.......


TED Z

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Posted By: cmoking

I only have two 49 Leafs, a Ruth and this Kluszewski.
No story to tell, I bought it off ebay a few months back. I just thought it looked like a nice card.

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Posted By: JimCrandell

King,

Nice Klu--thats a pretty strong 84.

Jim

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Great to see your post.....missed you.

Show us your Ruth......

All the kids in my neighborhood, in Hilside (NJ), valued our Leaf Ruth cards. We didn't flip them.....scale them.....or
attach them to our spokes on our bike wheels (as we did most other cards).

The memory of him passing away was still quite fresh in our minds, just 7 months before we saw his Leaf card. This
"reverence" for his Leaf card must of occured with many other kids, as many Ruth cards are usually found in Ex, or
better condition. And, certainly more so than the other 97 cards in this set.

TED Z

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Posted By: Phil Garry

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Posted By: RayB

Ted,
Great to participate in this one! The color variations abound!
RayB

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Posted By: cmoking

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

King, spectacular Ruth.

Ted -- are those the actual cards you collected as a kid?

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Posted By: JimCrandell

King,

Why is that just a 6?

Jim

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

The Ruth and the Wagner I acquired from Frank Nagy in the early 1980's. I put together a 2nd set back then in Ex to ExMt
condition getting most of the cards from Frank. He also had many of the 2nd series Short Prints. Michigan was one of the 4
regions they were limited to....Boston, Illinois, and Ohio are the other 3 regions. Kids in the NJ & NY area never saw the SP's.

Anyhow, I still have my original Leaf's from 58 years ago, perhaps I'll post some of them here. They were really "loved"....and
flipped....and scaled. My Joe DiMaggio was my lucky card, as I knocked down a lot of "leaners" with his card, which would win
everybody's cards in front of our stoop.

TED Z

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

It's obvious....look at the lower right corner. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful card. The registration on it is perfect.
I have seen a lot of these Leaf's with poor registration that get high grades just because the corners are sharp.
In my opinion the aesthetics of these cards should be considered....not just the corners.

T-Rex TED

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Posted By: cmoking

Jim, the corners look better in the scan than in person. I'd say its a nice 6 as far as corners are concerned.

Ted wrote: "The registration on it is perfect. I have seen a lot of these Leaf's with poor registration that get high grades just because the corners are sharp.In my opinion the aesthetics of these cards should be considered....not just the corners."

I agree completely. When I was shopping for a Leaf Ruth, I saw a bunch of 8s, but many of them were blurry or unfocused, very distracting. It didn't make sense to me to pay much more for a card I didn't want to look at.

Ted, nice stories. I was looking forward to your 49 Leaf posts, pics and stories when Leon started this post-war forum.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Here is an example of a 1949 Leaf 2nd series (SP) card with a wrong back. These printing errors are not that rare as some
might think, given they appear to exist only on SP cards. I have never seen this flaw on 1st series cards.

If anyone has seen this printing flaw on 1st series cards, please tell us....or better yet show us the card ?

TED Z

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Posted By: Paul S

These are the only 3 that I own. I picked them up long ago because at the time I didn't have these players in any other set. You might notice on the Appling a small hole punch that remained intact. Not sure how it got there, maybe it was intended to be a sample? I got the card that way, in the sixties, no toploader or sleeve or nothing. That little piece remained in there all that time.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

I have "tons" of stories to tell regarding this set. I have been studying it for 27 years now. And, I hope I don't bore people
with all my stories on it.

When I recovered all my childhood cards (1947 - 1952) in 1977, I thought I had this 1949 set complete with 49 cards. In 1979,
the Sports Ameriacana Checklist was published by Dennis Eckes (forerunner to the Beckett Price Guide). And, I was stunned to
find out that I only had half of the cards in this set.

In 1981, I went to a big BB card show in the NJ meadowlands; and, ran into Rick Starks and Jim Johnson (dealers from Erie, PA).
At their table was a 1949 Leaf Satchell Paige (the very one I show in my initial post here) and 6 other scarce 2nd series cards.
They wanted $200 for Paige and $25 apiece for the other 6 cards.. I was down to my last $100 at that point....but, still had
some cards to trade. So, Rick (a great guy) said he would take my 1954 Topps Ted Williams (#250), my 1969 Reggie Jackson
rookie, and a couple of lesser star cards and $100 for these 7 Leaf cards. It was a deal....one of the best I have ever made in
this hobby.

TED Z

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Posted By: Josh Adams

Ted,

I only speak for myself, but you definately do not bore me with stories about the 49 Leaf set. I'd love to hear any and all of your stories you have.

What steal for that Paige!!

This set is slowly becoming my favorite. Although it's a tough call with the '33 Goudey.

Here are some of my recent pick ups.

Josh

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Posted By: Anthony

One of my all time favorite sets, along with '15 Cracker Jacks.
Here's a few of the color variations-







I've yet to see color variations on the sp run, but Ted says they do exist.

Since there has been a bit of confusion on the 3 variations, here's side by sides for comparison

Peterson Red Cap (scarcer) on the left, regular cap on the right


Hermansk (scarcer) on the left and the correct version, Hermanski, on the right


Aberson short sleeve (scarcer) with the color variation

And the more common long sleeve version



Lastly, two different wrappers. Latest info I have on these is that the one without "baseball" is from the 2nd series, but I'm not completely convinced.


I really love this set, and would be interested hearing anything anyone else has on it. Just picked up 2 upgrades tonite and doubt I'll ever be done upgrading this one.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

I'll show my 2nd series color variation(s) later today.

I think you and I discussed this before; but, your "PICTURES" wrapper was not part of the BB issue in 1949.
But, I have proof that it was the wrapper for the 1949 Leaf FB issue in the Fall of '49.

With that fact in mind.....and, the recent confirmation that the 2nd series of BB (SP cards) was issued late
Summer and into September of '49....then, perhaps the "PICTURES" wrapper was part of this BB issue.

TED Z

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

ANTHONY

Do you have all the HOF Premiums that go with this set ?

TED Z

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Posted By: cmoking

which card would you rather have?

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Posted By: Paul S

King,
Scans are different. Looks like the 8 was sharpened and contrasted after or during the scan, and that the 6 was scanned at a higher dpi, hence not a sharp as it would appear in person. But all scans being equal I would go for the 6 because I like the way Babe's shoulders actually go all the way to the border. I don't mind any light stain(s) on the border. It's a nice tight card.
On the 8, the red background on the left-mid runs over the border a bit. Just my preference and opinion though. Heck, I'd be proud to own either one.

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Posted By: cmoking

Paul wrote: "I like the way Babe's shoulders actually go all the way to the border. "

I didn't notice that difference until you pointed it out. thanks!

Is this a common printing difference with the Leafs? do other cards have this difference also.

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Posted By: Paul S

Ted,
On that Sid Gordon card, I guess non-error Gordons must have his bat within the border of the picture. But I tell you that bat jutting of the picture and into the border is, in my opinion, one cool effect! I'd probably rather own that than the non-error.
Paul S

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

CMOKING

There is something strange with that PSA 8 Ruth. First, I have never seen a Ruth card where his shoulders do not touch the borders.
Also, the look about his eyes is different. I hate to suggest it, but PSA might have graded a "phony" card.

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Posted By: cmoking

The card is in lot 528 of the current Mastro auction.
http://www.mastroauctions.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=73483&LastLotListing=Lot%20List&CurrentRow=1

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Here is a real nice Leaf Ruth currently on ebay......

http://cgi.ebay.com/1948-49-leaf-3-Babe-Ruth-Yankees-SGC-84-7_W0QQitemZ160146253300

Avoid the PSA 8 card.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

That bat beyond the border of the Sid Gordon card is normal. There are a few more pictures like that one in the set.
I'll post them when I return home.

TED Z

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Posted By: RayB

Ted,
Didn't notice the bat thing on the first run through this thread till Paul pointed it out. That is really cool !
There's something inherently likeable about these crazy Leaf flaws.
RayB

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

A couple of more cards with bat or glove printed beyond the border.
And, I show the Reiser card because it has the effect of his bat almost "popping" out of card.

TED Z

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Posted By: Paul S

Nice! The Reiser is my favorite of the 3 -- almost looks 3D. Thanks.

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Posted By: Anthony

Ted- you've been collecting this set for almost 60 years. Other than Ruth and Dimaggio, which are your favorite cards?

King- I'd take the Ruth 6 over the Ruth 8. Buy the card......

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

ANTHONY

The Satchel Paige is certainly on the top of my favorite's list.

But, one of the very 1st cards I remember, that is a favorite of mine is Johnny Lindell.

He was my hero of the 1947 World Series....batted .500 and drove in 7 runs. Also, he
made at least two stunning, diving catches in Left field. And, had quite a rifle arm. He
started as a Pitcher for the Yankees in 1942; but, McCarthy converted him to an out-
fielder
due to his tremendous hitting power. He regularly led the League in Doubles and Triples
(that would have been HR's in any other ballpark other than Yankee Stadium.

TED Z

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Posted By: Jason L

like I needed another collecting distraction.
Now I must have some 49 Leaf!
That came out of nowhere and I directly blame the posters on this thread (and Leon, for starting a postwar board)!!!


Gotta get me a Pafko and a Musial - my early favorites from the set thus far.

honestly, though, thanks for the posts guys

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Posted By: Anthony

Peer pressure!

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Posted By: Jason L

I'm sending you an email...
This is just unfair!
gorgeous Pafko.
you're stepping up the pressure alright, but I am still stuck buying $50-100 cards for the most part, when I can...
I is gonsta have to rob an armored truck to keep up!

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Posted By: RayB

Another one of my favorites from the set: I'll post mine since it hasn't yet been shown here.
RayB

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Posted By: Ken W.

My only one:

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

ANTHONY

Here's some more of my color variations.....note the Dillinger (a 2nd series card).

TED Z

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

I've received several emails on this set, and a lot of the questions can be answered by reading my 1949 Leaf BB
article in the OLD CARDBOARD....issue #9. I am not trying to promote myself here; however, I highly recommend
this magazine for anyone on this forum that doesn't subscribe to it. Lyman and Brett Hardeman are producing the
finest Vintage sportscard publication this hobby has ever seen.

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Posted By: Anthony

Ted's '49 Leaf article and Lipset's Cracker Jack article in the same issue were two of the best I've ever read in a hobby magazine. I'd second Ted's endorsement of Old Cardboard- a subscription is a must have for any serious collector.
http://www.oldcardboard.com/

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

We forgot to show the Leaf card of "The Scooter"

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Posted By: Paul S

Not mine. Thought it looked cool.

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Posted By: dennis

there are about 10 graded leaf ruths currently on ebay only 1 is like the nm/mint psa8 with the red showing between the borders. all the others, (and a fake) the uniform blends into the border. the one that does not is also nm+ and resides in a global holder.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Here's my Mizell Platt (lacking blue color)....perhaps, he came from the same sheet that Musial was on.

TED Z

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Posted By: dennis

where these plentiful all baseball season or very lmtd. to spring distirbution? i know you said you thought that your set was complete till the 70's. and w/the skip #ing did you really know it was complete or just no new players so you quit buying? as a kid i always remember when a new series of topps arrived but i never bought all the series all baseball season.

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

DENNIS

In my neighborhood, these cards were available in March or April of '49 and by June they were gone, replaced by the
new Bowman packs in our candy stores. This was true for us for the 1st series (49 cards) of this set.

How did we know if we had a complete run is a very good question, as these cards were skip-numbered from #1 to 159.
These cards were so plentiful, that we all had at least quadruplicates of each player, and we compared our collections,
and came to the realization that there were no more than 49 different cards.

If you lived in the Boston area, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, you were lucky to get the 2nd series of 49 cards. My under-
standing is that they were available during the Summer/Fall of '49.

TED Z

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Posted By: dennis

thanks for the answers. that skip #ing i wondered if it was done on purpose or they had players lined up but could not get them under contract. great stuff ted!

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

DENNIS

I am certain that LEAF skip-numbered the 98 cards in this set (#1 - 168) as a clever marketing trick.
Leaf did the same thing in 1948 with their 50 card Boxing set, skip-numbering the cards #1 - 102.

And, I'll tell you Dennis, it worked.....as, us kids in the Spring of '49 kept spending our pennies buying
Leaf packs to fill in the numbers.

Look at the back of this Johnny Lindell card in the Premium section, it advertises a 168 card album.



TED Z

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Posted By: dennis

ted good one with the album that holds 168 "baseball cards".usually a card co. would have said store your 168 "leaf" baseball cards or your 168 card "leaf set"....bill clinton would be proud!

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

And, card numbering diagram








TED Z