In an extraordinary find that has captivated baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of century-old baseball cards has emerged, providing a tangible link to the sport’s storied past. Unveiled by an individual in Northern California, this discovery has thrust a trove of baseball history into the modern collecting hobby.
The journey of this collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly, a Granite Bay-based auction house, in late September. A man contacted them with news of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wished to sell. What followed was a remarkable unveiling of history. Tucked within a rusty Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin was a meticulously preserved assortment of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, dating back over a century.
The collection once belonged to “Ed,” who was born in 1909 and spent his childhood in Oakland. He passed away in 1994, but his steadfast grip on his collection of baseball cards remained unwavering throughout his life. According to Ed’s son, his father, like many of his generation who endured the Great Depression, never threw anything away. The tin, likely a gift from an uncle, became a treasured chest of childhood memories and was revealed to Ed’s son during his early years, only to be rediscovered in a closet after his father’s passing.
Nearly three decades since its rediscovery, the collection has found its way into a hobby that, while vastly different from the 1920s, still holds the same fascination for collectors.
The tin unveiled a staggering array of more than 600 cards, all from 1926 or earlier. These cards bore the marks of their age and the love of the young hands that once held them—strip cards, often torn or cut and kept in pockets, showing signs of being cherished possessions. One notable presence in the collection was that of Babe Ruth, with no less than 20 cards depicting the legendary “Bambino.”
The collection boasted several highlights, including a 1919-21 W514 Shoeless Joe Jackson card, a 1921 E220 National Caramel Ruth card, a 1922 American Caramel E121 Ruth card, and cards representing nearly every player from the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. Furthermore, there were multiple Ruth cards from the W514 series dating 1919-21, 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.
Spanning several pre-war sets, the collection comprised a diverse selection of strip cards from 1919-1923, reflecting Ed’s childhood years, and various 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series distributed on the west coast.
The auction company was astonished when they received the collection, particularly with the number of Ruth cards it held. This discovery emphasized the significance of the collection. Immediately, the company began the process of selecting the finest cards for grading, while others were sold in their original state.
For the world of baseball card collecting, this discovery is more than just a transaction or an addition to inventory. It serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. The collection, once the pride of a young boy, carefully preserved in a tobacco tin, now stands as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its heroes.
Each card, weathered at the edges, not just by time but by the eager fingers of a young fan, tells a story. It tells the tale of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler, who, through these cards, could hold a piece of his heroes in his hands. This story resonates with collectors, not only for their monetary value but also for the emotional connection, nostalgia, and love of the game.
As the collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. Uncovering such a cache of memorabilia brings the excitement of finding a hidden gem that, once polished, shines light on a bygone era of sports history. The release of this century-old collection is a momentous event for collectors, historians, and baseball enthusiasts alike, as it links tangible artifacts from the past with the present 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 handles the collection, each piece will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate not only their 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.
