Burdick Collection

[oldjudge]

As Barry said, the Old Judges are fantastic. I have seen them on several occasions. Barry took me along in the 1990s when he was working on an article, and I went through them a few times with Joe when we were working on the Old Judge book. Interestingly enough, Burdick had no California League cards (or at least none are there now). Otherwise, he had a pretty fantastic selection, with his cards,in general, being in exceptional shape.

[kkkkandp]

My daughter and her boyfriend happened to be going to The Met today to see (primarily) some frescoes from a villa in Boscoreale near Vesuvius. I told them they had to at least check out whatever was on display from the Burdick collection while they were there. They did, but said it was very hard to find, was very small, and there were no Old Judges in the grouping displayed.

[barrysloate]

Kevin- the display is minimal, and while an attraction to the novice, wouldn't excite veteran collectors very much. You really need to make an appointment and see the albums to appreciate what is there.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Kevin- the display is minimal, and while an attraction to the novice, wouldn't excite veteran collectors very much. You really need to make an appointment and see the albums to appreciate what is there.

sadly this is very true. i always make a bee-line to the exhibit when I go to the met...only to be disappointed most times! You will see much more at a good show!

[steve_a]

I did check out the display this weekend. As many stated there was nothing currently out that you didn't see down the road in White Plains. It was about 20 framed scrapbook pages with full of a sample of cards from various sets. There was an Obak, T206 and nice Mecca doubles. A few Goudy sheets as well as several Play Ball, Bowman and early Topps. It was still an enjoyable escape from Monet & Picasso. The T206 page was almost all Brooklyn subjects with a 2 name Ball. This display was put together 50-60 years ago so it gave me a chuckle to notice the short, diamond cut and wavy edge examples we dismiss as altered today. They either came from ALC that way or were "improved" long before there was a monetary reason to do so. That will be my takeaway from this visit, with a hope to return and spend some time rooting through the entire collection.

[bigfanNY]

I have called the Met twice to see the collection (I think photo's and prints is the department you ask for) the first time my Dad called about two weeks before we went and the second time was only a few days before we went. So anyone wanting to see the collection should definitely reach out and see if an appointment is possible.
When we arrived we were given a catalog of the collection and it was heavily notated (I think by J Burdick) and I remember clearly that the Wagner was on a stamp hinge so that you could look at the back of the card..Things were much more simple 35 years ago. we stopped by the gift shop and picked up a copy of the Burdick collection catalog when we left.
The Met is filled with priceless treasures of all kinds Samurai swords, Colt revolvers, Tiffany glass, something for everyone my second favorite place to spend an afternoon in NY (after Yankee Stadium)
J

[barrysloate]

Jonathan- did you have to give them a reason why you wanted to see the collection, such as needing to do research to write an article, or did they give it to you just for the asking? I know the last time I went, in 1997, they were getting pretty strict about giving out appointments. Hopefully, different people work there now who are easier to work with.