Slightly OT: Edgar Wharton Tigar

[barrysloate]

I haven't been to the Burdick collection in fifteen years. Glad they are becoming more conscientious.

And by the way...it's Edward, not Edgar.

As a young collector we first met Wharton-Tigar whilst we were both examining the Buridck collection in the print room of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As the story goes he asked to borrow our pencil, noting his distinguished British accent, we inquired as to whether he knew Wharton Tigar- When he responded "It is I" a 15 year friendship began. We had the pleasure of having lunch or dinner with himin New York on several different evenings.

We spent two wonderful evenings at his London flat and lovely dinner with his
wife, butler and chef- certainly the way we like to live---. His wife was one of the UK's leading collectors and breeders of rare sheep.

The entire 3rd Floor of the Flat was dedicated to his tobacco card collection. Whilst most of the samples were rare cards from the UK and around the world, the baseball display- especially 19th cards, 19th century team cabinets andthe largest collection of high grade Ramlys extant was breathtaking.

We corresponded numerous times. and Sir Edward shared many stories about
Bray, Burdick and other pioneering collectors. We also talked at length about his masterful 5 edition World Tobacco Index

And finally, we traded cards on at least half dozen occasions. More than 10 years before his passing he told us of his plans to leave his collection to the British Museum.

We were saddened by his passing, and miss one of the finest most knowledgeable gentlemen we ever had the honor to meet.

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest want List

[barrysloate]

I need to get a butler and a chef....

[Rickyy]

I suppose one way to make it available to the public is to maybe make digital scans of these cards like John Warnock of Adobe has done with his rare antique books. Perhaps a coporate sponsorship(s)/fundraising of some sort or MLB can pitch in and do that with Burdick's collection.

[Steve D]

I just did a quick Google search on Sir Edward Wharton-Tigar. Basically, he was a spy for the British Special Operations Executive (the equivalent of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services - the forerunner of the CIA) during WWII.

He amassed a collection of over two million cards, and yes, it does include a T206 Honus Wagner.

Steve

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I need to get a butler and a chef....

Barry then you would be a Group.

[barrysloate]

Jeff- truth is, my apartment is a little too small. I'll have to do without.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I need to get a butler and a chef....

Sounds like a Seinfeld episode!

[barrysloate]

It was a Seinfeld episode- that's what the pilot "Jerry" was about.

[oldjudge]

Tom--I have never seen the collection, but Richard and I have talked about a trip to London to see it. I would like to fill in the missing images in our book and I'm sure many of those cards reside in his group.

[autograf]

You and Richard in England.....that could get outta control.....