Negro League HOF cards? Best choices?

[Jason19th]

First it’s important to remember that a number of negro league HoFers can be found in Cuban and Puerto Rican issues. Ray Brown, Ray Danderidge, Martin Dihigo, and Willard Brown can be had for less then 500. Willie Foster, Andy Cooper and Oscar Charleston are also available but well over 1k. Pete Hill, Jose Mendez and Gibson are possible but not for anyone without a trust fund

For more modern issues -

James Bell put out his own card set in 1976. Not a wonderful issue but you can find autographed copies for about 50 bucks
There are a couple of regional issues from the 70’s and early 1980’s that feature Negro league stars. I think it’s a Shakeys Pizza issue that features Pittsburgh Teams
The 1974 McLaughlins set is something that people either love or hate. It’s line drawings rather then photos. A bit rare in high grade
The 1984 Negro league set is cheap and decent but nothing that going to blow you away
The Ted Williams set in the early 1990s is decent and has a number of Negro league stars

The Helmar cards are very nice but they get pretty pricey for a manufactured collectible.

[triwak]

Go to the "Old Cardboard" website (you can click on their banner at the top of our homepage), then click on their "reference library," followed by "HOF Rookie Card database." That was set up by fellow member, Phil Garry, and is an excellent resource to see what the earliest five cards are, for each HOFer (updated through about 10 years ago). You'll see the super pricey Cuban/Puerto Rican/etc. cards from the Negro Leaguers' playing days (as Jason pointed out), but also many of the more modern commemorative cards from which to choose. Happy collecting!

[Exhibitman]

The 1974 Laughlin set is a great choice:



Lots of cards of the HOFers, some considered RCs. You can also get some signed ones, which is nice:

[paul]

Willie Foster is not available to anyone without a trust fund.

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by paul

Willie Foster is not available to anyone without a trust fund.

Willie Foster is only in the Mallorquina set. To my knowledge, there is literally one single copy of his card. There is also an uncut Mallorquina sheet that has Foster (and Dihigo's rookie for that matter). For $50K, it can be yours.

[Jason19th]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Willie Foster is only in the Mallorquina set. To my knowledge, there is literally one single copy of his card. There is also an uncut Mallorquina sheet that has Foster (and Dihigo's rookie for that matter). For $50K, it can be yours.

Wow - had no idea that card was that rare

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by Jason19th

Wow - had no idea that card was that rare

Of the Negro Leaguers who have period cards (Lloyd, Charleston, Torriente, Mendez, Cooper, Dihigo, R. Brown, Dandridge, W. Brown, Irvin, Day, Smith, Mackey, Hill and Foster), I am missing only Hill and Foster. Hill has a total of 3 cards from two sets (1 Cabanas, 2 Punch) and Foster has the one. They are absolutely impossible.

1945-1946 Caramelo Deportivo Cuban League

[Huck]

I like the Ron Lewis postcards (two box set). I have about 25 of the cards signed. Like many things, I should have purchased the set the first time I came across them. Not a ton of hall of famers in the set but really nice looking cards.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143298204999

[riggs336]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The 1974 Laughlin set is a great choice:



Lots of cards of the HOFers, some considered RCs. You can also get some signed ones, which is nice:

Around 1975 Laughlin ran an ad in The Trader Speaks (I think) offering the original artwork for this set at $10 per card, buyer's choice, first come first served.
I asked for Josh Gibson and got him along with a letter from Laughlin saying he hated to give Gibson up.
I just looked for the artwork and letter and they didn't immediately reveal themselves, but I'll look harder and post them when I find them.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by riggs336

Around 1975 Laughlin ran an ad in The Trader Speaks (I think) offering the original artwork for this set at $10 per card, buyer's choice, first come first served.
I asked for Josh Gibson and got him along with a letter from Laughlin saying he hated to give Gibson up.
I just looked for the artwork and letter and they didn't immediately reveal themselves, but I'll look harder and post them when I find them.

That would be fun to see.

[paul]

Thanks Kenny. Let me know when I can take the Dihigo or Dandridge off your hands!

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by paul

Thanks Kenny. Let me know when I can take the Dihigo or Dandridge off your hands!

LOL, it will probably be awhile.