Stevens Firearms trade cards (uncatalogued)

[Archive]

Posted By: Bill Cornell

I'm looking for any info on the set for the two cards pictured below. They are trade cards of Philadelphia A's players issued by the Stevens Firearms company, presumably in 1912, one year after they won the AL pennant. Both cards measure roughly 3 7/16" (height) x 6 3/16" (width) and are printed on a medium-weight cardboard with blank backs. Thanks for any help.

Bill

[Archive]

Posted By: David

Bill, those trade cards are cool. I've seen them before.

[Archive]

Posted By: Robert Silverman

Hi--

I've been told these were originally distributed as blotters on which to blot things written with old pen and ink. In fact, I won one on eBay a while back that I believe had been sold originally either in a Hunt or an Oser auction, and was used as intended -- complete with the inverse of part of an old letter visible on the back.

They aren't in the SCD catalog, but I have seen one or two for sale at shows. In fact, I think Ron, from whom you purchased the Jones, Keyser & Arras card, once had one for sale in his case.

By the way -- I almost bought that Jones card at the show in NYC two weeks ago, but it was a bit too rich for my blood that evening. It's a great card, and I'm glad you posted a photo!

Hope the Stevens Firearms info helps...

[Archive]

Posted By: Bill Cornell

Thanks for that info, Robert. I wouldn't have guessed that about these cards, although it makes sense now that I look at them. The cardboard is definitely not good quality, even for that era. Tragic waste of a card to use it as a blotter!

The Murphy also came from Ron Vitro, along with the JK&A cabinet and an E90-3 Schulte. One of those late-Sunday afternoon purchases when dealer optimism has waned...

Bill