Typecasted: BF3

I'm going to start a new little series for the blog to keep it fresh.  I'm going to pick a card to profile, and talk a little bit about the history of the card and how and when (if I can remember) I got it.

I'll start this edition with a new set I've been particularly fascinated in, trying to acquire and learn about as many examples of this set as I can.

The set is the BF3 mini pennant.  I bought this below at the 2013 National in Chicago.

This is an excerpt from the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards:

"The checklists for these series of felt pennants issued circa 1936-1938 are not complete, and new examples are still being reported. The pennants do not carry any manufacturer's name although packages found with various pieces attribute the issues to Red Ball sales, a gum company in Chicago, and Grandpa Brands Co., Cincinatti another gum company. One pennant was given away with purchase of a stick of gum, and at least one wrapper indicates large format (28''x12'') versions of the Red Ball pennants could be had in a redemption program. The pennants vary in size slightly but generally measure approx. 2-1/2''x4-1/2''and were issued in various styles and colors. Most of the printing is white, although some pennants have been found with other colors of printing, and the same pennant is often found in more than one color combination. The pennants feature both individual players and teams, including some minor league clubs. The pennants were grouped together in the American Card Catalog under the designation of BF3. Advanced collectors have categorized the pennants into a number of basic design types, depending on what elements are included on the pennant. The unnumbered felts are listed alphabetically within type. Gaps have been left in the assigned numbers to accommodate future discoveries." (2011 Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards, Bob Lemke)

I recently acquired the below pennant to accompany the above:

Should be here tomorrow :)  I've learned from the catalog that there are 12 cataloged types. The yellow/white pictured is a Type 1, and I believe the blue/yellow is from Type 3 (without having the reference next to me).

I'll continue to pick these up as I can find them, as long as they are unique in terms of their color combinations and type.

If any of you have questions about this unique set, ask away and I can do my best to answer.

SGC Poppage!

I love screenshots. The only reason the Play Ball is graded 0 is that I asked for same or better grading, and I am guessing it did not reach that minimum. No matter, I'll resubmit it and have it changed into the SGC holder at a lower grade.

What I was REALLY concerned about was the dimensions of the 1938 Goudey card.  It measured about 1/8'' smaller than the verified dimensions of 2-3/8''x2-7/8''. I was truly, truly scared, but seeing that it came back at the PERFECT grade, I became ELATED. Probably made my week. Definitely made my week.

I'll post more pictures when the cards arrive.

Thanks for tuning in!

It's been a long time comin'

(http://www.deanscards.com/images/actual_images/1938/Goudey/277/283052f.jpg)

After 5 years, one slightly trimmed card, an argument and a meltdown, I have finally landed one of my whales.  Part of the "high numbers" (#277) series, this card features a similar card to this, but a you can see has some additional cartoons where the "low number" (#253) lacks the cartoons.  These cards are often identified by either their lack of or feature of these cartoons.

I actually paid less than what I did for the card I bought at the National Sports Collectors Convention in August, (link to the story here) and from what I can tell from the eBay pictures the card is in far better condition, so I'm a happy camper!

I actually don't have the card in hand yet, should be here Wednesday when I get home from work! Color me excited.

Happy New Year everyone,

Brian

A Frustrating Situation

It was 11am.

At the National Sports Collectors Convention two weeks ago in Baltimore, Maryland, I happened upon a card I needed; a 1938 Goudey Heads Up. It looks identical to this card, but it has cartoons around it:

Reference this link (not my card). That is what the card looked like, but it was not graded. I knew this deal had the card for a very long time, about 4 years, which is a long time to sit on a card. The starting price for the card was $395, which was WAY more than I wanted to spend on it.  For that day, it was marked 20% off, which brought it down to $320, still much more than I wanted to spend on it.

With much help from my friend, I negotiated the price down to $200, which I was comfortable paying. I was on top of the world. I could not have been happier, spending the day with a best friend and picking up a card I needed for a price I wasn't upset with.  I brought the card right over to SGC to be graded.

It was 12pm.

We perused the show for the next 2 hours waiting for the card to be graded. Coming back to the SGC booth I'm thinking to myself how I could not wait to finally have the card in hand.  I was elated, excited, anxious, all of the above.

My day was about to be ruined.  It wasn't the worst news I could have possibly gotten, but it's pretty close.  Under heavy examination, the top border of the card came back slightly trimmed, making the card grade 'authentic' instead of a number grade, which would have designated the card was original and untampered with.  In a frenzy, cursing the world, and in somewhat disbelief, I walk back to the dealer who sold me the card.

This would happen to me.

It was 2:15pm.

My strategy going into this conversation with the dealer was to not be hostile, and ask what we could do to remedy the situation. They did not fight with me at all, instead they were very understanding of the situation and refunded my money completely, and even paid for half of the grading fee, which was a considerate gesture.  

At this point, I was without-card, and lost 3 hours of valuable time looking for a card to replace the one I lost.  

Luckily I find this to replace it, but the feeling of the day ending like this is shitty, and on the 1 1/2  hour drive back to Fairfax, VA I was mad at the world, and still in disbelief.  

I didn't think at the time to offer a price on the trimmed card to fill the collection spot for now, then in the future upgrade to a better copy. I was just too flustered.

Fast-forward to today.  I make a call to the dealer, asking for a price on the very same card, hoping I could get it for significantly less than $200.  To my utter surprise, they offer $180, only $20 less than what I originally bought the card for.  Doesn't surprise me at all actually, their original price for the card was WAY above what anyone wanted to pay for it, thus it sitting for 4+ years in their display case.

I explain to him that the card is trimmed, and the legitimacy is compromised.  He argues that the card is still in G-VG condition. "No, sir, it isn't. It says right on the label that it is authentic."  He then goes on to say that they will resell the card as G-VG, but trimmed, and set the price at $190.  Seriously? Sorry bro, but that card will NEVER sell. 

Have fun letting it sit for another 4 years.

/rant