Buck Barker

[Peter_Spaeth]

Will today's most visible collectors still be talked about decades from now? I tend to doubt it because grading has, what's the word, sterilized everything and taken provenance and individuality out of things, but who knows?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Will today's most visible collectors still be talked about decades from now? I tend to doubt it because grading has, what's the word, sterilized everything and taken provenance and individuality out of things, but who knows?

I don't know that answer, probably a few but not a lot. I have always felt when there is provenance to our collectibles, even cards, it makes them more desirable.

I was the 2nd "family" to have owned this Arrelanes and Melchoir, sold them in my first collection, then got them back in the BST section . No value add, but still kind of cool to know where they originated...

Same exact thing with the Weaver, but I soaked him because when I got him the first time (Trucker Boy find) he had a big blob of scrapbook paper stuck to the back.

[whiteymet]

I too did some deals with Buck back in the day. I was happy to just pick up the below with one of his stamps on the reverse. Brought a smile to my face.

[Rich Klein]

When he passed, I actually bought from Tom Reid some of the "remnants" of his cards. The tough series 57-73, an amazing group of Post Cereal Cards and a few other things. The cost was $1200 which in 1983 dollars was... well let's say a fraction of what that would cost today.

That purchase also moved me from a decent regional dealer to a dealer with NSCC worthy inventory. A couple of the Post Ceral cards had his information on the back and those cards are amongst the very few cards I wish I had never sold in any way

[Steve D]

I used to own an N28 (either Clarkson, Keefe or Kelly), that had Buck's address stamp on the back of it.

I bought it in the early 1980s from Larry Shane; and regrettably sold it in 1991.

Steve

[FrankWakefield]

I've been enjoying the posts about Mr. Barker. Thanks to All of you. I recall hearing of him. Then, in the early 90's, seeing one of his lists. And then, seeing correspondence from the late 50's back and forth between him and the collector who was buying from and asking questions of Buck.

Baseball has a significant history component, not just through a season, but on from season to season, and transcending generations. Collectors of the old cards have an interest in the history of the game, the cards, and often in the history of the hobby. And that is the history of Mr. Burdick, and the gentlemen who followed... Egan, Barker, Haber, Carter, Heitman, Lipset, and many more.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Imagine the only way to communicate with someone is to make a very expensive long distance telephone call, or write them a letter and wait patiently for the response. It wasn't that long ago....