Need advice on a pre-WW1 type collection

[BobC]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

I'm familiar with the site and know information. I like advice for aesthetic reasons. What do people think would look good when viewing? That's what I'm asking for.

The actual goal is to interest people and visitors who are NOT card collectors. Tell them the story of what baseball collecting was like before 1919. If I'm going to show it off I'd like to make it interesting.

Got any advice there?

Then definitely go with items that aren't just typical cards, items that may catch someone's eye and have them asking, "What is that?". You already have a great start and very diverse collection, what with the S74-1 silk, B18 blanket, BF2 felt pennant, Colgan's Chips, Domino Disc, Helmar Stamp, Sweet Caporal pin, and so on already in your collection.

I'd already suggested getting one of the colored version S74-2 silks to go with your white version one, along with a T222 Fatima player card and a Polo Grounds game card (which is very different from the Tom Barker game one you already have.) As others had suggested, an M101-2 Sporting News Supplement would be perfect, as would a Scrapps Tobacco card. Your $300 price point does limit your options somewhat, especially when looking at 19th century items, but if condition isn't a primary issue, you may be able to get lower condition items to fill some of your slots. So here are some more possible selections:

N284 Buchner Gold Coin Card
N183 W.S. Kimball Champions Card
1901-17 Police Gazette Supplements
W601 Sporting Life Team Composite
PC765-1 (or -2) Dietsche Tigers/Cubs Postcard
1909-10 German Baseball Stamp
1909-10 W555 (These are not strip cards and came off candy boxes.)
D304 Brunner's/Butter Krust/General Baking/Weber's Bakery Bread
1913 Baseball Series Notebook Cover
1913 Napoleon Lajoie Game Card
T330-2 Piedmont Art Stamp
PM1 Ornate Pin
1915 Postaco Stamp
Baseball/Player Related Sheet Music
Magic Lantern Ballplayer Slide

Not an all-inclusive list by any means, nor one that is necessarily always easy to find items of in your price range. But it does include many diverse items, most of which are not your typical sports card, so it definitely speaks to diversity. Good luck, you already have a super collection.

[Leon]

E270s...

[Luke]

e107
exhibit
t206
t222
rose pc
worch cigar (one with a photo background)
zeenut
1932 US Caramel
1933 Goudey
r312
1937 Dixie Lids

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Luke

e107
exhibit
t206
t222
rose pc
worch cigar (one with a photo background)
zeenut
1932 US Caramel
1933 Goudey
r312
1937 Dixie Lids

I had a lot more in my list then I read he only wants pre 1920....there went my Holsum Bread recommendation.
.

[GrewUpWithJunkWax]

Great collection and variety. I also enjoy seeing examples of various sets like that.

[darkhorse9]

I think I've narrowed down the next two additions to my type collection. Again, the idea is to have a story to tell about collecting pre-1919.

1918 Zeenut - as far as I can tell, the only set issued during the height of WW1

1888 Scrapps- now that they've been identified as HD Smith &Co. they could be the first set issued with gum

I'll be starting my search for reasonably priced versions of these. Any help is appreciated, also more ideas on cool Pre-WW1 cards to go after.

[Bridwell]

As a type collector myself, I have these suggestions:

1. You are under-represented in the colorful E cards. An E93 or E94 would be a good addition. Maybe E102 and E103.
2. There are some great looking and interesting postcard issues, such as Rose Postcards, Max Stein, PC796 Sepia, Wolverine News Tigers, or Topping & Co. Tigers that would look good in your collection.
3. Some type cards would be over $300, but I think you could get a T5 Pinkerton cabinet and a 1913 Cravats felt in your price range.