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Baseball Postcards
6 Lots
 Lot 1. RARE! Uncataloged 1905 Louis Van Oeyen Postcard of Nap Lajoie. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, something truly unique emerges from a consignment presented by a veteran collector. That’s the case with this postcard, which provides a close-up head-on portrait of “Napoleon Lajoie, Manager and Captain, Cleveland American League Base Ball Club, Season 1905.” It has an undivided postcard back and carries a 1905 copyright by “L. Van Oeyen, Cleveland, Ohio.” Working for the Cleveland Press, Van Oeyen was, of course, one of the great early baseball photographers. In fact, he was so highly regarded that the American League designated him as its official photographer in 1908. We consulted a number of veteran postcard collectors about this card. Not one had seen it before. The corners are consistent with an ex to ex-m grade. The card has a light to moderate ¾” crease in Lajoie’s hair on the right side and an extremely light crease on his left cheek. Both creases are more observable on the back. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937, Lajoie was immensely popular, and he was one of baseball’s best hitters from 1897-1906.
Winning Bid $1,577.
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 Lot 2. 1905 PC782 Rotograph Postcard of Josep (Joseph) McGinnity. Mailed in 1907, this card has a crease in the upper right corner, which earns it a vg-ex grade; otherwise, ex. McGinnity’s 246-142 career pitching record and a 2.66 lifetime ERA earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1946.
Winning Bid $472.
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 Lot 3. 1905 PC782 Rotograph Postcard of Luther “Dummy” Taylor. An excellent pitcher, Taylor won 21 games for John McGraw and the New York Giants in 1904. Several light creases near the top or bottom edges make the card, which has an uncanceled one-cent stamp on the back, technically vg. The corners are consistent with an ex card. The image area, which is free of creases, displays very well.
Winning Bid $520.
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 Lot 4. 1906 PC792 “Baseball Scenes” Near Set of 5 Embossed Postcards. These attractive cards, all unused, have an eagle and shield with arrows on the back. The scenes include: 1. Leaping catch with grandstand in the background. 2. Left-handed batter. 3. Right-handed batter, catcher, umpire. 4. Right-handed pitcher. 5. Runner sliding head-first, fielder leaping to catch the ball. We have not seen these cards in better condition. They are ex-m and free of imperfections except for the following: #2 has what appears to be a ¼” vertical pencil line at the top. #4 has a light ¼” vertical crease at the top and a very light stain in the upper right corner. #5 has a barely noticeable stain in the upper right corner.
Winning Bid $332.
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 Lot 5. 1918 Postcard of “National League Ball Park, Philadelphia, Pa.” (Baker Bowl). Built in 1887 and revamped in 1895, the ballpark was also known as Philadelphia Park, the Philadelphia Base Ball Grounds and Baker Field. It was home to the Philadelphia Phillies from 1887-1938, and the Eagles, 1933-35. Published by P. Sander, the pre-linen postcard was mailed in 1918. It shows a game in progress as a man speaks through a megaphone. Numbered 6874, it is without the Sanders logo on the front and has an aqua sky with multiple clouds. Vg+ to ex.
Winning Bid $94.
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 Lot 109. 15 Signed 1940s-50s St. Louis Cardinals Team Postcards – Slaughter, Haddix, Etc. The Cardinals issued these postcards starting, apparently, in 1949. On the back, four from 1949-50 have the logo with two Cardinals on a bat. One of these has a “Dear Cardinal Fan” salutation, and three say “Dear Friend”: Johnny Bucha, “Fan” salutation, died 1996, ex-m card, 8-9 of 10 autograph with a very slight smudge under “Johnny.” Al Schoendienst, g+ card mailed in 1950, strong 8-9 signature. Enos Slaughter, d. 2002, f-g card mailed 1949, 6-7 signature. Ed Kazak, d. 1999, played third base 1948-52, ex+ card, 10 signature. Also, a vg+ to ex card of Eddie Dyer from the same era signed by Mrs. Dyer. These four postcards from 1951-53 are printed on an uncoated paper stock and say “St. Louis Cardinals, Sportsman’s Park” on the back: Cliff Chambers, g card with four pinholes, 9 signature. Red Schoendienst, g-vg card, 9-10 autograph. Enos Slaughter, p-f card mailed in 1951, 5-6 signature. Jerry Staley, g-vg card, 8-9 signature on his photo. These six cards are printed on glossy paper stock and have the same backs as the four immediately above: Ferrell “Andy” Anderson, died 1978, major league career consisted of 1946 with Brooklyn, 1953 with St. Louis. Card has tape in all four corners, was mailed in 1953, and otherwise is ex. Signature is a strong 8-9 with see-through tape over “son” in his last name. Pete Castiglione, ex-m card signed twice, on the photo and after “Sincerely.” Both signatures are 9-10, Paul La Palme, vg+ card, 8-9 signature personalized to “Seth.” Jerry Staley, ex card, 9-10 signature on his photo. Finally – and we think we’ve saved the best for last: Harvey Haddix, a mint 9 to gem mint 10 signature on an ex postcard. This is an outstanding example of the Kitten’s signature. And Enos Slaughter, vg+ card mailed in 1953, bold 10 signature in green ink. On the back, Slaughter added a personal note and signed it “Enos.” Authenticated by Kevin Keating
Winning Bid $218.
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