In a stunning find for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of century-old baseball cards has been unearthed, providing a tangible connection to the sport’s rich history. Discovered by an individual in Northern California, this collection has reignited the passion of baseball collectors around the world.
The journey of this remarkable collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly, an auction house based in Granite Bay, California. In late September, a man contacted the auction house with news of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wanted to sell. Little did he know that he was about to uncover a treasure trove of history. Inside a rusty Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin lay a meticulously preserved assortment of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards that dated back over a century.
The collection once belonged to “Ed,” who was born in 1909 in Oakland, California. Throughout his life, Ed held onto his cherished collection of baseball cards. As Ed’s son recounts, his father, who lived through the hardships of the Great Depression, never threw anything away. The tin, likely a gift from an uncle, became a precious treasure chest during Ed’s childhood. It was revealed to his son at a young age and then rediscovered in a closet after Ed’s passing in 1994.
After nearly three decades since its rediscovery, this extraordinary collection has found its way into the modern collecting hobby, sparking the same sense of fascination that it must have evoked in the 1920s.
To the astonishment of many, the tin contained over 600 cards, all dating from 1926 or earlier. The cards bear the marks of their age and the love once bestowed upon them by young hands. Strip cards, often torn or cut and carried in pockets, show signs of being treasured possessions. Among the collection, one name stands out — Babe Ruth. The legendary “Bambino” is featured in no less than 20 cards, making his presence known throughout this remarkable find.
The collection boasts many highlights, including a 1919-21 W514 Shoeless Joe Jackson card, a 1921 E220 National Caramel Ruth card, and a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ruth card. It also includes cards of players involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal, several Ruth cards from the 1919-21 W514 series, three 1920 W519 Ruth cards, a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ty Cobb card, a 1921 W516 Ty Cobb card, and a 1920 W519 George Sisler card.
This collection spans several pre-war sets, encompassing a wide selection of strip cards from 1919 to 1923, representing Ed’s childhood years, as well as numerous 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series predominantly distributed on the west coast.
Upon acquiring this extraordinary collection, the auction company was amazed by the sheer number of Ruth cards, highlighting the collection’s significance. The company promptly selected the finest cards for grading, while others were sold in their original condition.
For the baseball card collecting community, this discovery goes beyond a mere transaction or an addition to inventory. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. What was once a source of pride for a young boy has now become a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its heroes. Each card, worn at the edges not only by time but also by the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. It’s the story of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, and who, through these cards, could hold a piece of his heroes in his hands.
This sentiment resonates with many collectors, who are driven not merely by a desire for monetary value but by an emotional connection, nostalgia, and a deep love for the game. As this collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. Unearthing such a cache of memorabilia is akin to finding a hidden gem that, once polished, shines a light on a bygone era of sports history. For collectors, historians, and baseball aficionados alike, the release of this century-old collection is a momentous event, linking tangible artifacts from the past to the present-day passion for collecting.
Each card from this remarkable find acts as a bridge across time, connecting the dots of baseball’s evolution. As the auction house processes the collection, each piece will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate not only its rarity but also the journey these cards have undergone. From the pocket of a young baseball fan in the early 20th century to a revered position in the collections of modern enthusiasts, these cards carry with them the essence of America’s pastime—a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire.
