Show us a card if you're not sure what it is.

Not sure how to post the image directly.

Rob

Not sure what to make of this card. This is the front and the back is a playing card (Jack of hearts). There is some writing on the bottom right corner but I can't make out what it says.

Not mine, in fact it just ended on ebay for $477. I'm curious about it though. A collecting friend of mine pointed out that it's not period because of the caption at the bottom ("Who finished a close second that year to the Champion Detroit"). I'm guessing it's from around the turn of the century.

Any ideas re: its origin?

Ben, That's very cool.

I'd guess 1903-1907.

From Baseball Reference:

1887 National League Previous Year / Next Year

Expanded StandingsTeam W L WL% GB
Detroit DTN 79 45 .637 --
Phildlpa PHI 75 48 .610 3.5
ChicagoC CHC 71 50 .587 6.5
NewYorkG NYG 68 55 .553 10.5
BostonBr BSN 61 60 .504 16.5
Pittsbgh PIT 55 69 .444 24.0
Washngtn WHS 46 76 .377 32.0
Indaplis IND 37 89 .294 43.0

I thought it was a magazine or book page pasted on a piece of cardboard.

I just found this Jack Clements (1"x 2 1/4") marked at the bottom
"C&B N.Y." What do I have?

billball wrote:I just found this Jack Clements (1"x 2 1/4") marked at the bottom
"C&B N.Y." What do I have?

Interesting, could be something special but we would need a scan. If you need help posting one, you can send it to my email benfisher77(at)gmail.com

Welcome to the board!

a clements bros card would be awesome!!!!

chef...that looks like a rustler playing card...I have one too! They used to sell for around $5 on ebay but one somewhat recently sold for close to one hundred I believe.

ullmandds wrote:a clements bros card would be awesome!!!!

I was thinking E223 G&B gum (1888) which would be even more awesome. Dimensions would match, as would the caption (the G is often mistaken for a C).

I just checked my guide...there doesn't seem to be a clements checklisted in the e223 set. Nor is there a clements in the d380 series 1 or 2?

..the plot thinkens?

You guys are right. The card has a "G&B" not C&B. It is neat because the letters above the figure of Clements are "PHILADELPHI'S" without an A on the end. the pose is the same as in the Old Judge Clements pose - probably using the Goodwin & Co Studio shot.
Under the figure with extended arms is: "Clements Catcher National League."

I sent scans to Benfisher. Maybe he will post them.

ok...so definitely 19th c card...perhaps one to add to the checklist!!!!!

Even if he isn't in the checklist, new discoveries are not uncommon.

Bill just sent scans of the card. My E223 G&B suspicions were correct. Bill, what you have here is a RARE rare gum card from 1888. More info is forthcoming. In my opinion, based on the scans alone, it looks authentic. Back has some damage, I will add the scan to this post asap. The front looks great though.

Is there a story behind its acquisition?

wow...that card is freakin' gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!

certainly looks legit. Great card, especially when the worst thing you can say about it is that it's too bad it is one of the line drawing cards rather than one of the photo. I love the fact that it is a catcher just about to receive the ball.

I love the look of the line drawing...it's more interesting to me! I'd love to have it!!!!! Great card!!!!

Fisherboy, Thanks. This card has this story. I got it in Concord Penna just a few weeks ago at the Herbert Fleming Estate Sale (7 July). My wife's maiden name is Fleming and this was distant relatives. We were outbid by relatives on many things. I did buy some boxes of junky Christmas Decorations and books. In one book was old newspaper clippings and Victorian color scrapbook clippings and obituaries for Civil War vets like William H.H. Mackey, wounded at Fredericksburg and James D. Curry, 121st Pennsylvania Volunteers. This Clements Catcher card was among these scraps in the book. I knew it was old because of the circumstances and the things around it.
Bill

nice story...great card...enjoy it!!!!!!!

Hi Bill - This G & B card would be of John J. ("Jack") Clements, who spent most (14 years) of his career with Philadelphia (N.L.), including 1888, the year the E223s were issued, per baseball-reference.com. An extremely scarce card set - I only saw one E223 card at the National this year. The 2012 Standard Catalog shows the line-drawing E223s to be valued at $2,500 in VG and $4,000 in EX. Checking past auction results (or VCP) should give you and idea as to whether or not these values are in the ballpark. This is one of those issues that I have long assumed I'll never have an example of in my type-card collection. Super great find!!
Val

Thanks! I have pre-war cards but had not seen this set. Your answer really opens a new door for me on the hobby.