Let's see some SCRAPPS!

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #1 08-18-2022, 06:50 PM

When I first heard of these in the 1980's, they were referred to in a Krause publication as Scraps (one p) and no mention was made of them being a tobacco issue. If I recall, somebody submitted them to the Q&A column in Baseball Cards magazine. Whoever answered the person's query basically replied that they were a mysterious 19th century baseball issue known as Scraps, for lack of better knowledge, and that they were fairly plentiful.

When was the second "p" added? When was the first mention of them as "Scrapps Tobacco", and do we know who coined this incorrect term?

Casey2296 · #2 08-18-2022, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

When I first heard of these in the 1980's, they were referred to in a Krause publication as Scraps (one p) and no mention was made of them being a tobacco issue. If I recall, somebody submitted them to the Q&A column in Baseball Cards magazine. Whoever answered the person's query basically replied that they were a mysterious 19th century baseball issue known as Scraps, for lack of better knowledge, and that they were fairly plentiful.

When was the second "p" added? When was the first mention of them as "Scrapps Tobacco", and do we know who coined this incorrect term?

From Al Crisafulli's article;

It is well-known at this point in the hobby that no such brand as �Scrapps Tobacco� ever existed. In fact, none other than Rob Lifson of Robert Edward Auctions, in a 2005 auction description, explained �This seems an appropriate time to clear up a long-standing, obscure hobby mystery relating to the identification of this issue as �Scrapps Tobacco.� This identification first appeared in The Sports Collectors Bible (1975). The fact is, there is no tobacco brand by the name of �Scrapps.� The responsibility for this erroneous attribution, we must admit, falls squarely on the shoulders of Robert Edward Auctions� President Robert Lifson. �Back in 1974, when I was working on The Sports Collectors Bible, editor Bert Sugar called me up and wanted me to clarify the name of this issue. I wasn�t sure what this set should be called, so I called up Dr. Lawrence Kurzok and asked him. Kurzok was one of the great old-time collectors who was a contemporary of Jefferson Burdick. In a very quick fact-checking conversation, he told me they were �Scrapps,� and assuming this was a tobacco issue, I misinterpreted him and thought that he meant �Scrapps Tobacco.� What he really meant was that these cards were a series designed to be glued in scrapbooks�I reported back that this set should officially be catalogued �Scrapps Tobacco� brand��

brianp-beme · #3 08-18-2022, 09:18 PM

Quote from above post (as told by Rob Lifson):

"I wasn’t sure what this set should be called, so I called up Dr. Lawrence Kurzok and asked him. Kurzok was one of the great old-time collectors who was a contemporary of Jefferson Burdick. In a very quick fact-checking conversation, he told me they were ‘Scrapps,’ and assuming this was a tobacco issue, I misinterpreted him and thought that he meant ‘Scrapps Tobacco.’ What he really meant was that these cards were a series designed to be glued in scrapbooks..."

Here is a T206 with a Lawrence Kurzrok stamp.

Brian

ValKehl · #4 08-18-2022, 11:29 PM

Al & Bob, I've long wished there was an online, comprehensive repository for info re vintage (pre-War) baseball cards - an online vintage baseball card Wikipedia, if you will. The Old Cardboard, Pre-War Cards, and probably a few other websites I'm not familiar with have some of this info, but there is so much more to be captured. It would take a considerable effort (i.e., a "labor of love") by many dedicated collectors to achieve what I have in mind, but being an old fart, I don't see this happening in my lifetime.

BobC · #5 08-19-2022, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Al & Bob, I've long wished there was an online, comprehensive repository for info re vintage (pre-War) baseball cards - an online vintage baseball card Wikipedia, if you will. The Old Cardboard, Pre-War Cards, and probably a few other websites I'm not familiar with have some of this info, but there is so much more to be captured. It would take a considerable effort (i.e., a "labor of love") by many dedicated collectors to achieve what I have in mind, but being an old fart, I don't see this happening in my lifetime.

I am with you Val. Would love to see something either online, or in written form at least. As you said, there are various sites out there, like OBC, but they are not as complete as the SCD Catalogs were, and are not kept up to date in all cases. About the closest thing I think you could get to something online would be a copy of the SCD catalog in digital form. I seem to remember that one year they sold a CD version of the catalog in PDF format I believe, along with the printed version. That has to be more than 10 years ago though. It wouldn't have been updated since then, but at least you could maybe have access to the catalog by saving/uploading a copy of the file, and then retrieve it in some fashion on your smart phone or some other piece of equipment.

Al C.risafulli · #6 08-19-2022, 09:26 AM

I'd be happy with an online database, but I really want a printed book as well.

These books were available at big bookstores like Barnes & Noble. I can walk into a store like that and pull off the shelf (or special order) Krause publications like the 2020 US Coin Digest, the 2020 Standard Catalog of World Coins, the 2020 Collector Car Price Guide, the Goldmine Record Album Price Guide, the 2017 Unofficial Ultimate Collectors Guide of Pokemon Cards, the 2019 Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, the 2018 Magic: The Gathering Ultimate Collector's Guide, many published in the last 2-3 years.

Beyond the fact that I've got a Standard Catalog sitting next to me at all times during the day, right within arm's reach, and I'm paging through it 3-4 times a week, I can't help but think of the people with zero hobby knowledge who stumble upon cards that they need to identify, walk into a bookstore, and have zero quality reference material. The Beckett guides, IMO, just don't cut it, really.

I realize that Bob is gone, but in his absence for a few years Don Fluckinger did a fine job keeping it maintained. I feel like at this point, updating it after what seems like it was probably at least five years and probably more would be a massive undertaking, but I've got to figure collectors would be more than forthcoming with information if they were told there would be a 2024 Standard Catalog, and most of us would run right out and buy a copy. Heck, I'd be three or four, AND subscribe to a website.

Sorry for the hijack, I like Scrapps Tobacco cards.

-Al

Joe_G. · #7 08-19-2022, 06:00 PM

I've posted this before many years back, feels like the right time for a repost . . . here is my circa 1888 treasure chest.

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