McCarthy Postcards

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

The back of my Koufax is all white - no writing of any kind - completely blank. Is the style of back a clue as to year(s) issued? Maybe blank backs are all late 1950's.

That is interesting. I have 10-12 of the Mantle postcards but no postcard with a blank back. The oddball guide I use--Kelly Eisenhauer's piece on Mantle postcards--makes no mention of a blank back.

Are you sure this is a postcard? Did you buy it graded or have you had an opportunity to feel it? I ask because I do have a postcard sized image from McCarthy that I blank backed, but it is on photo paper rather than card stock. It is also color, but I'm sure there are black and whites out there.

Unfortunately, there is very little information out there about these oddball items, which is a shame since they are really cool pieces and really reasonably priced. If you do find yourself catching the collecting bug and chasing these things, my only recommendation is to avoid any of the 10x12 photos. A lot f the McCarthy negatives are our in the market and people are still producing photos from them. I'm sure there is a way to distinguish them by paper type, etc., but it's a bit risky.

[JLange]

I really like these PCs as well. The photos are outstanding quality in many cases, and there are a number of players who have few if any regular issue cards. Here's a 1950s JD McCarthy PC of Bobby Bragan, who managed the Indians in 1958.

[Jeff Alcorn]

Hi,

That Sandy Koufax card must be from 1965 or 1966 since the Dodgers had piping around the neck, down the buttons, and on the sleeve ends of their road uniform through 1964- see the Don Drysdale card above. Hope this info. helps.

Jeff

[Zach Wheat]

JD McCarthy postcards were actually taken by a photographer in the Detroit area. I believe they were used mainly by players for autograph purposes...ie fan mail. I think players and teams could order them direct. As such they may have come with a PC back as well as blank.

They were printed for 40+ years with a number of poses variations etc. I am not sure a comprehensive list has ever been put together; although a board member had an extensive list. I have not seen the list, and I do not know if gives all the variations with presumed year of issuance.

Due to the long period of time in which they were issued the cards that can be dated ie postmark on the back generally carry a premium.

Z Wheat

[Touch'EmAll]

Jeff, you may have something there with the dating based on uniform style. At least I know its not a post career Koufax card, that s nice.

And there is mention a lot of these were made and floating around. I looked at ebay listings "post-war 1942-1980". Regular Exhibits list over 100 graded by SGC and nearly 350 PSA graded, about 450 total. But only 14 SGC or PSA graded McCarthy's (all Mickey Mantle by the way, not one single other player). The McCarthy's just can't be all that plentiful in nice grade worthy examples.

[Exhibitman]

I don't think you can make that assumption; JDMs sell for very little money so there is little incentive to have them graded. Lack of graded versions doesn't mean scarcity, it means lack of submissions.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

Jeff, you may have something there with the dating based on uniform style. At least I know its not a post career Koufax card, that s nice.

And there is mention a lot of these were made and floating around. I looked at ebay listings "post-war 1942-1980". Regular Exhibits list over 100 graded by SGC and nearly 350 PSA graded, about 450 total. But only 14 SGC or PSA graded McCarthy's (all Mickey Mantle by the way, not one single other player). The McCarthy's just can't be all that plentiful in nice grade worthy examples.

I agree with Adam. Just because there are not a lot of them graded doesn't mean there are not a lot of them out there. They were made for a very long period of time and are pretty plentiful and not particularly valuable. For example, most of my Mantles are in great shape and are at most 20-25 dollar cards. I would imagine it would cost roughly half of that in shipping and grading fees.

Also, just because the photo was taken during a specific time does not mean the card was produced during his playing days. The only way you can link it that way is the style of the back (yours does not have one to compare) or a date stamp.

[Exhibitman]

That's why I try for cards with postal cancellations. You know my Drysdale is a 'rookie' card because he mailed it to a fan in 1957.