Help identify these cards ??

[raff]

I came across some cards small sized blank backed appx 2”x2” sized guessing 1950s vintage based on players and have no idea what these are. Anyone out there able to help I’d what these might be??? Promo? Proofs? Any help much appreciated.

[MikeGarcia]

..The Maury Wills dates it to 1963/64 or later---

..

[Jason19th]

Those almost look homemade - the writing is literally by hand on the negative
I wonder if it’s just a photo project of someone who had on field access

[raff]

Ok thanks for your guesses. I have about 35 total and I’m certainly not an expert but the card/paper they are on feels similar to actual cards from that ie it’s kind of thick. Backs are blank like I mentioned however on some not all someone has used mainly pencil to hand write the players name on the back. On a few when I hold them up flashlight behind some you are able to see words using the flashlight like a watermark almost. Not visible without holding a light source up to it. Odd.

[raff]

Does anyone have any info on specific people who took the pictures photos back in this era of the players that were used by the card companies... my wild hunch is perhaps a photographer or more than one took alternate photos that were never actually used or circulated and printed them out... perhaps research on actual photographers could help solve this mystery. A collection of unprinted alternate pictures of players ?

[Bigdaddy]

If you have a better picture of one of them (zoomed in, no shadows), then you can do a google search using a photo. I tried it with the Conley, but it came up with a bunch of soldiers in camo.

Here is a similar photo of Conley, probably from the same session. However, I couldn't find any credit for the photographer.

[Bocabirdman]

Wills was a rookie in 1959 but did not make his debut until June 6.
Red Schoendienst last played in Milwaukee in 1960.
Gene Conley last played for the Braves in 1958. He was traded to the Phillies on March 31 1959.

Mathews and Buhl played for the Braves from 1953 to 1965 and 1962 respectively.

The years that Conley, Wills and Red S. played for the teams pictured, lead me to believe that the pictures could have been taken in Spring Training 1959. That is IF they are all from the same time period.

[raff]

Thank u for your info I’m trying to piece this together and am grateful for everyone’s help. Still hunting this down. Thank u

[hcv123]

of 1 or 2 of the cards would be helpeful in trying to help you.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by hcv123

of 1 or 2 of the cards would be helpeful in trying to help you.

As would scans of others, or at least a list of player/team affiliations, since you say you have around 35 altogether.

[commishbob]

I get a Polo Grounds feel from that Wills. I see the apartment buildings thru the windows on the third base side.

The Towbridge(?) doesn't seem like spring training shot with that background but maybe I'm off here.

Either way, I love these little mysteries.

[hcv123]

The images appear to be 1950's-early 60's, but 2x2 is a strange size and those snow white borders are givnig me pause.......

[steve B]

It's possible they were giveaways at a card show. A few shows in the mid -late 70's did that. I have a few that are done like 48 Bowmans, which is a similar format, but no names since they have backs.

[raff]

More pics thank you for all of your help and input still trying to figure these out 2F9F60C1-F68B-44FF-ABBB-20E782BF6010.jpg

F9BBEE23-20C7-4F10-B955-29B09211DF99.jpg

A03639ED-6EF5-469A-BDC6-0D99B8BFF99A.jpg

34071C9B-C551-493B-AE0E-D4C532ADEB53.jpg

CDF0882C-DEB4-4B70-A68D-861E98BE4CE9.jpg

33A2D984-6E09-4709-9E3A-C64C328124AB.jpg

9BFB00C1-9D11-45CF-A957-5C0AEAD52890.jpg