General Forum

I've been looking to expand into possibly collecting a few tobacco cards and am focused on Billy Sunday. 

What basic advice would you give me on this possible venture? 

I've already found that at least one ebay seller is selling some of his cards as original, but are reprints. 

Also I'd have to set my sites on Good or Fair condition as they'd be much more affordable given my normal financial parameters. 

Any help is appreciated. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Billy-Sunday-1888-Pittsburgh-later-a-famous-preacher-Tobacco-Road-series-5/232528298489?hash=item3623c441f9:g:t~sAAOSwHoFXvMAN

This is the card that's being sold as an original 1888, but I don't see a copyright date and the condition shows (to me) that there's no way it's vintage.

The description details call it a "tribute" card, aka "reprint".  A sneaky listing to say the least.  It's listed as pre-1942, which is a lie, because it also states it was printed in 2009.

C2C beat me to it. Of course, it was also under $5, so there's no way it was going to be an original 1800's card. 

So commish, you've encountered the concern I immediately developed as I started buying vintage cards. And about three tobacco cards in, I decided I would have to buy only graded tobacco cards, or buy from my local card shop, which didn't have what I wanted. I know it's not a guarantee, but I feel just a bit better about authenticity if PSA or SGC has claimed it to be authentic. It's a bit more expensive, but I just don't trust even beat up looking old cards to be originals. I still have that tiny question in the back of my mind about the couple I brought that aren't graded. 

Other than that, all I can do is wish you luck. I would love an Old Judge card. I'll probably splurge someday....

Oh, why Billy Sunday, may I ask? It's a cool name, but is there some other reason you've landed on him?

(edit: Ok, I looked him up. Interesting guy.)

v3

My dad was a minister and even though I rarely paid attention during sermons every once in awhile he'd mention something that interested me and Billy Sunday's testimony about giving up baseball for God was one of those instances. 

I'd forgotten about him until I started searching for cards to collect. 

Wish you luck in your quest. 

Ok, just thought of something, then verified it. You're the guy who says he won't spend more than $20 on any individual card. And I respect that. But how are you going to make an 1880s card happen for $20? Especially a fairly well-known player? Seem highly unlikely, even in fair to poor condition. 

But if you succeed, please tell me how you did it, because I'd love an Old Judge Card. 

Good luck on your quest. 

v3

"I" don't personally spend more than $20 on a card, but I have gift-giving kids that would.  That's why I made sure all four of them earned their college degrees! How else can they help support their dad's hobby? 

Ah! Excellent loophole. 

v3

Well played sir.  Well played.