Moonlight Graham

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

No backlash here. I hear you and loud and clear. I have one Graham piece and it's very cool, but his fame is a fictional character and not as an actual ballplayer.
Personally I would not spend thousands on a Graham item. But I get the allure also.


QUOTE=BillyCoxDodgers3B;2314315]I've said it before, and it's always met with some backlash...

The huge interest, and especially the high values of anything related to Graham, will never fail to confound me.

People who are so enamored of him do realize that they're just buying into a half-fictional character as created by Kinsella and portrayed so wonderfully by (mostly) Burt Lancaster, right? Values of our collectibles are usually based on achievements or legends that actually transpired or may have happened. There's some basis in reality. The Moonlight Graham stuff that people so eagerly eat up simply sprang from the mind of an author of fiction. Beyond the fact Graham played in the Majors and was a doctor in Chisholm, MN, the rest is all Kinsella. The factual part of Graham's story is pretty typical and ho-hum. Yes, he was a kindly doctor and was remembered fondly by generations of children, but this wouldn't have affected collectability or value without Kinsella's intervention.

If Kinsella had thumbed through his MacMillan Encyclopedia and instead decided to craft a story around Kewpie Pennington, another Deadball Era guy who played in one game, none of the Graham diehards would have a clue who he was and his memorabilia would be of much more limited interest and value. Pennington had a cool nickname and only pitched one MLB inning with zero strikeouts. There's your story! "If only I could have struck one player out!". Same basic concept of a dream not realized, but now everyone is infatuated with the fictional legend of Kewpie Pennington!

I know, I know...but it was Moonlight Graham who Kinsella selected.

[/QUOTE]Well articulated and duly noted. But, for me, part of the fun of collecting is being able to show some of my cards to non-collectors, and Moonlight would be a great one to show.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Well articulated and duly noted. But, for me, part of the fun of collecting is being able to show some of my cards to non-collectors, and Moonlight would be a great one to show.

Thank you. I'm happy to see many great responses to my thoughts versus the first time I mentioned anything years ago!

I fully agree with your point above, Al. The character of Moonlight Graham is someone that many people are familiar with, so sharing the real Graham's memorabilia would be of more interest to non-fans and non-collectors alike. You can also explain this entire backstory as we've been discussing: the real Graham and the magical, fictitious Graham.

For those that collect Graham's memorabilia (and we all know you're invested into it directly because of the book, the movie or both! ), it would make sense to also collect Burt Lancaster and W.P. Kinsella memorabilia. They are the ones that should truly be thanked for your fandom of the actual Archibald Graham and without whom you'd have never fallen for Moonlight memorabilia!

[seattlerainiers]

Thanks, Rhett and Brian. It is fun to share those cards.

Here's another RPPC (rare panoramic this time) of the 1912 Spokane squad. Here's the players I can immediately recognize. I could likely ID more if I spend some time with it:

Phil Cooney: far right
Dutch Altman: 2nd from right
Cadreau/Conneau: 6th from right
Harry Ostdiek: 8th from right
Lloyd Zimmerman: 5th from left
Paul Strand: 2nd from left

Interestingly, If you look at the 4th and 5th players from right, next to Cadreau, they also appear to be of Native American heritage. Looking at the 1912 Spokane Indians roster on BR and/or Stats Crew, none of those names jump out at me as candidates.

Seems like a stretch to think they came to Spokane with Cadreau from the Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Ojibwe in northeastern Minnesota. Been meaning to get a hold of a few folks I know that might provide insight, but haven't gotten to it.

Anyways, I love this card too. Sorry to briefly hijack the thread away from Moonlight!

[brianp-beme]

You can't throw shade on Moonlight...he casts his own glow. Another great postcard Dave.

Brian

[ksfarmboy]

Dave those are amazing!