Babe Ruth
1933 Babe Ruth German Card
This particular card is probably the only known card in existence that printed in pre war Germany and is definitely one of a kind.
The card is stamped on the back with the owner of the shop that probably sold the card mainly E. Wiederman/125 Berlin C.2 Germany East. Research of German history indicates that in 1938, which was the turning point for Nazi Germany, what took place was later called the “Night of Broken Glass” and the “Night of the Long Knives”. It was a night of horror throughout Germany. Synagogues, Jewish homes and shops covet up in flames and several Jewish men and women were shot or other wise slain.
The extent of destruction of Jewish shops can not be verified by figures but 7,500 shops were destroyed, 2,171 dwellings were set on fire and looted, 319 synagogues were destroyed and some 30,000 Jews were arrested and killed by the Nazi party during this horrible night. A visit to the address on the card found in an empty field on a street corner in E. Berlin with the address of E. Weiderman, 125 Berlin C2. The cab driver said nothing has been built there for years. It is a possible scenario and conjecture that EW shops were conceivably a victim of the violence of the “Night of the Long Knives and Broken Glass”.
If you will notice on the card that there is a sign above the bleachers naming a hotel advertisement which after careful research indicated a discovery that there was a hotel continental in E. Germany at that time. The hotel was destroyed during the war and nothing further is known.
How this card actually arrived in America is unknown however, it did and the card possibly survived the violence of that terrible night.
Babe Ruth often traveled to Europe and to the surrounding countries. As he was adored in Europe and in the entire area, Babe Ruth played in many exhibition games in Europe and Berlin, Germany. The card pictures the game more than likely that was played in E. Berlin.
Author Unknown
(reprint of letter)
Roberto Clemente
Hank Aaron
Joe DiMiaggio
J. Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner, the Flying Dutchman, is considered by many to be baseball’s greatest all-around player. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop was the NL batting champion for 7 of 17 seasons with a lifetime average of .329 and led the league in stolen bases on six occasions totaling 722 in his career. He was one of the first five players inducted to The Baseball Hall of Fame.
When the Baseball Hall of Fame held its first election In 1936, Wagner tied for second in the voting Babe Ruth trailing only Ty Cobb. In 1969 on the 100th Anniversary of professional baseball, a vote was taken to honor the greatest players ever, and Wagner was selected as the all time shortstop. In 1999, despite 82 years having passed since his last game and 44 years since his death, Wagner was voted number 13 on ‘The Sporting News’ list of The Hundred Greatest Players making him the highest ranking shortstop still to this day.
A line drive hitter with power to all fields, Honus topped the doubles seven times, triples three times, and R.B.I. three times. His 252 lifetime triples are the NL mark; his 651 doubles rank third and his 3,430 hits rank fourth. The 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner baseball card has long been recognized as the most iconic highly coveted and valuable object in the field of sports memorabilia.
J. Honus Wagner’s birth name was actually John Paul Wagner and he desired to be referred to by this, however, base ball legend and bitter rival, Ty Cobb started calling him Honus. In German, ‘Honus’ refers to someone of low character and lacking brilliance. Although Honus disliked the nickname, the name stuck and from then on he was known as Honus Wagner as he reluctantly accepted.
Lou Gherig
Ted Williams
Michael Jordan
The hallmark of any great basketball card collection is the Michael Jordan Fleer 1986-1987 card. For about seven years, no large, recognized manufacturer produced basketball cards. That was until Fleer entered the fray in 1986 and came out with the Jordan card.
This collection includes four Jordan Fleer 1986-1987 cards as well as the “true” Jordan rookie card; the 1985 Nike cards. (PSA Mint 9, depicted below)
This collection includes four Jordan Fleer 1986-1987 cards as well as the “true” Jordan rookie card; the 1985 Nike cards. (PSA Mint 9, depicted below)
Mickey Mantle
Included in this collection is the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle card. It is reported that this particular card is rated the second most expensive card in history trailing behind the 1909-1911 T-206 Honus Wagner card. Only a few years ago, the Bowman card sold for $600,000 providing evidence of its value and rarity.
Mickey Mantle Batting Practice Bat Signed by Ted Williams & History Letter
I want to remain anonymous because my name is too close to the players mentioned and I don’t want to compromise them. Therefore, I was at Yankee Stadium watching Mantle hit batting practice and he hit one right handed at least 400 ft to left and switched and hit one 400 ft to right batting left handed and I was amazed. I said knowing Mantle personally, “Hey Mick, sign that bat and give it to me” Mickey did and gave it to me.
A month later I was at Fenway Park watching Williams take batting practice. I said “Hey Ted, come here please”. I showed him the bat that Mantle had signed and asked Ted to sign it. Ted said “I’ll sign anything that Mick has signed” and Ted signed it on the label of the bat. This is the history of the signed bat by Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams. Thank you, Signed, Anonymous (Reprinted from letter to the left) |