In a truly remarkable find for baseball memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of century-old baseball cards has resurfaced, offering a tangible link to the sport’s storied past. This astonishing discovery was made by a Northern California individual, revealing a trove of baseball history that has propelled the collecting hobby into a new era.
The journey of this collection began with a simple phone call to Auction Monthly, a Granite Bay-based auction house, in late September. The caller, a man, informed them of an old tin box filled with baseball cards that he wished to sell. Little did he know that his call would lead to the unveiling of a remarkable piece of history. Nestled within a rusty Pedro Cut Plug Tobacco tin was a carefully preserved assembly of strip, caramel, and tobacco baseball cards, their origins dating back over a century.
The collection belonged to “Ed,” born in 1909, who spent his childhood in Oakland and passed away in 1994. Throughout his life, Ed held onto his collection of baseball cards, something that never waned, even during the difficult years of the Great Depression. The tin, most likely a gift from an uncle, became a childhood treasure chest for Ed. Rediscovered by his son in a closet after his father’s passing, the collection has now made its way into the modern collecting hobby, nearly three decades since its rediscovery.
Inside the tin were more than 600 cards, all dating from 1926 or earlier. The cards’ condition reflected their age and the love of the young hands that once held them—strip cards, often torn or cut and carried in pockets, showing signs of being cherished possessions. Among the collection, one name stood out: Babe Ruth. The legendary “Bambino” featured prominently, with no fewer than 20 cards depicting him.
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. Additionally, there were several 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 encompassed a varied selection of strip cards from 1919-1923, reflecting Ed’s childhood years, and several 1924-26 Zeenuts cards, a series distributed on the west coast.
Upon acquiring the collection, the auction company was astonished by the number of Ruth cards—an unexpected discovery that highlighted the collection’s significance. They promptly began the process of selecting the finest cards for grading, while others were sold in their original state.
For the world of baseball card collectors, this discovery is more than just an addition to inventory—it is a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted love for baseball that transcends generations. Once a young boy’s pride, carried through the decades in a tobacco tin, the collection now stands as a symbol of the timeless allure of the game and its heroes.
Each worn card, bearing the marks of time and the touch of a young fan, tells a unique story—the story of a boy who idolized figures like Ruth, Jackson, Cobb, and Sisler. Through these cards, he held a piece of his heroes in his hands. This story resonates with many collectors, who are drawn not only to the monetary value of the cards but also to the emotional connection, the nostalgia, and the love of the game that they represent.
As this collection enters the public sphere, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of baseball’s early legends. Uncovering this 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 the tangible artifacts of the past with 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 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.
