April 2009
1914 vs. 1915 Crack Jack baseball card set
The Cracker Jack baseball cards are some of my favorite cards to collect. They have many similarities, but what are some differences? Which cards from the sets are most valuable? What are the differences between the 2 sets? Let’s investigate!
The Cracker Jack sets are almost 100 years old. As is always the case, condition is extremely important in assigning a value for each card. The odds of finding a MINT card from either set is extremely scarce. In fact, the chance of finding any Cracker Jack baseball cards is extremely rare, which is why I love baseball card collecting. It’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps me going.
The 1914 set contains 144 baseball cards. These cards were printed on much thinner paper than the 1915 counterpart. A few of the 1914 baseball cards have different poses than the 1915 set. These cards are craved by baseball card collectors like myself. For example, the Christy Mathewson 1914 horizontal pitching version is not offered in the 1915 set. Mathewson appears in the 1915 set as a portrait pose.
1914 Cracker Jack’s are usually found with staining on them. The 1914 cards were ONLY distributed in boxes of Cracker Jack’s at the local five and dime store. The 1915 cards were offered in the boxes of jacks, and through a mail in redemption program.
The 1915 Cracker Jack set has 176 baseball cards and is generally found in much better condition to the 1914 step-brother. Many cards were obtained thru the mail in redemption program, so many cards are free of staining. The cards were printed on a heavier stock paper (still very thin though) that could withstand a bit more abuse.
Both the 1914 and 1915 cards have the bold red background. Of all the candy cards, the Jack’s are the most visually stimulating. Some of the most valuable cards are: Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, and Walter Johnson. Check your attic to see if you have any Cracker Jacks!!
Fan Mail Part 2- Obtaining baseball autographs!
I recently received a question about obtaining autographs during the regular season.
This person wanted to know if it would be just as easy to obtain them as it was during spring training.
The answer to the question is………(drum roll please) Autographs during the regular season are harder to obtain. Don’t be discouraged because they are still fairly easy to obtain
Spring training is fun for everybody and very relaxed. The guys are getting used to getting back in the daily routine of playing baseball and they are getting used to the new guys in the clubhouse. The ballplayers are signing autographs in hoards and enjoy doing it. They might even smile while doing it.
By the time May comes around, baseball is in full swing. The weather gets nicer across the country and you have those blabbermouths on ESPN talking about who will win the World Series even though it is only May. By this time, each baseball player has signed thousands of autographs for the year. The process might become tedious for some and not enjoyable anymore. Because the season is in full swing, they have to be fully focused on their game. Therefore, signing autographs becomes secondary.
Here are a few tips for snagging a signature of your favorite player.
1. Players’ love signing for females. If you are a female, great! Show em what you got. If you are not a female, go with a female and have her get the autograph for you.
2. One Hall of Fame baseball player that I had dinner once with, (but will not name) says that you should call each player by his first name, or nickname. Don’t say Mr. John Doe, can you sign this for me. They are people just like you and me. Call them by their name.
3.Do NOT bring 50 million things with you to get autgraphed. They will think that you are reselling their autograph if you do.
4. Be Prepared. Bring with you the appropriate pen/marker and test it before you have it signed. I have seen on a few occasions when the little boy goes for an autograph, but his pen fails. Ouch! If you are having a photograph signed, have something hard for him to sign it with you.
Good luck
As always, keep your questions coming and maybe yours will be featured soon!
Time to open up the fan mail bag
Question: I have a fairly large collection of Sports Memorabilia. The collection includes baseball cards, autographed baseballs and bats. What other sports ephemera can be potentially valuable?
Answer: Many collector’s of sports collectibles focus on baseball cards and autographs, like you stated above. However, there are other sports items that are very valuable as well. I have listed a sampling below in no particular order.
1. Championship Rings. World Series rings, as one can imagine, command the highest dollar amount. Yankees and Mets have the highest demand, and they go for a pretty penny. The Chicago Cubs haven’t won a World Series in over 100 hundred years. When they do win it, that ring will be worth a small fortune. (I guarantee they win a Championship in the next 5 years. Anybody agree, or disagree?)
2. World Series full sized tickets from 50-70 years ago can be worth money. Collecting World Series tickets is currently a small, niche field, but growing every day.
3. World Series programs…especially ones from the Yankees.
4. Baseball advertising posters from the 1880′s-1940′s. Many companies produced large advertising signs for Mom and Pop stores to hang up in their store windows to promote their product. Many of these signs have been thrown out, but some of the surviving examples are quite stunning to see in person.
5. Bobbing Head dolls. The bobbing heads, or nodders, were very popular in the 60′s and 70′s. Some are extremely rare.
ENJOY OPENING DAY
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