Donating 100 Yrs of BB cards. Any ideas?

[bnorth]

I live in a small town and we have a wonderful little museum called the Dakotaland Museum. When I went through the museum last week the wonderful lady that runs is said they are going to try and get a small baseball exhibit on loan for next year.

I gave it some thought for a few days and today I talked to the lady that runs the museum and asked if they would like to have 1 baseball card from every decade from the last century to display. She thought it was a great idea, so now I need to figure out what cards(players) to get rounded up to donate.

I am looking for suggestions on cards. I want to get big name players even non fans would recognize but I also don't want them to cost me an arm and a leg. I plan on getting all graded cards because of the descriptions on the flips so non collectors will know what they are.

Here is what I have come up with so far but they are subject to change if someone suggests something better.

1900-09 open

1910-19 Going with a T210 not sure of player.

1920-29 open

1930-39 1932 Sanella Babe Ruth

1940-49 open

1950-59 Card from the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set

1960-69 1962 Topps #18 Mickey Mantle & Willie Mays

1970-79 1974 Topps #2 Hank Aaron

1980-89 1983 #586 Wade Boggs

1990-99 1993 #98 Derek Jeter

[almostdone]

I understand the desire to have Williams but I think more non-fans know Jackie Robinson. When I ask people to name old players the first is always Ruth and the second is more offer than not Robinson. He had a huge impact on the social history of our country and is still taught in schools as a historical figure. Just my opinion but I think a 56 Topps Robinson would show a classic 50's style card with a familiar name more than the Fleer Williams might.
Drew

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by almostdone

I understand the desire to have Williams but I think more non-fans know Jackie Robinson. When I ask people to name old players the first is always Ruth and the second is more offer than not Robinson. He had a huge impact on the social history of our country and is still taught in schools as a historical figure. Just my opinion but I think a 56 Topps Robinson would show a classic 50's style card with a familiar name more than the Fleer Williams might.
Drew

Great suggestion on Jackie Robinson Drew. Because of limited space and presentation I want to have all vertical cards. I just looked at Jackie cards and found the 1947-66 Exhibits card might fit my needs for the 1940-49 section. I know nothing about the exhibits cards are they similar in size to a regular card? I also need to keep the graded case sizes somewhat close to the same size.

[39special]

I think a J.Robinson Exhibit is a great idea for the '40's slot.They are the size of a postcard.

[BearBailey]

Ty Cobb would seem like a must.
Probably Ripken 82 topps traded over Boggs?

[DaClyde]

So, no Dakota-related cards?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

Ty Cobb would seem like a must.
Probably Ripken 82 topps traded over Boggs?

A Cobb would be great if I could find something cheap, any suggestions?

The Boggs is the only card on the list that is not up for debate, he is my favorite player.

I would use South Dakota players but very few would know who the are. Space is limited so I could ask for a little more room if they are interested in some home state players.