Baseball Card Attic Find

The Washington Post is running a story on the find of possibly $3 million worth of early 20th century baseball cards.  The cards were found in a box in the attic, and where discovered when the family was cleaning out.  The box contained, very rare and early cards, most of which were in excellent condition as they appear to have been stored for the past 100 years. The cards include such collectible names as Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Connie Mack and Honus Wagner.

The cards are believed to have been part of an advertising promotion for candy. The 700 cards to be sold this summer at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore

It just goes to show that there are still real finds out there.

The Washington Post reports 

The cards are from an extremely rare series issued around 1910. Up to now, the few known to exist were in so-so condition at best, with faded images and worn edges. But the ones from the attic in the town of Defiance are nearly pristine, untouched for more than a century. The colors are vibrant, the borders crisp and white.

“It’s like finding the Mona Lisa in the attic,” Kissner said.

Sports card experts who authenticated the find say they may never again see something this impressive.

“Every future find will ultimately be compared to this,” said Joe Orlando, president of Professional Sports Authenticator.

The best of the bunch — 37 cards — are expected to bring a total of $500,000 when they are sold at auction in August during the National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore. There are about 700 cards in all that could be worth up to $3 million, experts say. They include such legends as Christy Mathewson and Connie Mack.

Kissner and his family say the cards belonged to their grandfather, Carl Hench, who died in the 1940s. Hench ran a meat market in Defiance, and the family suspects he got them as a promotional item from a candy company that distributed them with caramels. They think he gave some away and kept others.

“We guess he stuck them in the attic and forgot about them,” Kissner said. “They remained there frozen in time.”

Source: The Washington Post