In his new ebook, RE:LEAF, Brian Kappel definitively places to relaxation any lingering notion that the 1949 Leaf set was in any manner a 1948 (and even 1948-49) problem. Brian’s proof? Courtroom paperwork during which Marshall Leaf asserts that the very first cargo of Leaf baseball playing cards left Chicago for Boston on March 14, 1949.
Although PSA and SGC will seemingly proceed to slab Leaf playing cards with the unsuitable yr for the foreseeable future, Brian’s remaining nail within the 1948 coffin has particular implications for Corridor of Fame rookie card collectors catching as much as this new actuality. (And although I say “new,” no scarcity of consultants from Keith Olbermann to the Corridor of Fame to your folks right here at SABR Baseball Playing cards have been “1949 Leaf” adherents for a while now.)
Together with no matter different ripple results the 1949 yr of problem might have on collections, right here is the impression on the rookie standing of the set’s Corridor of Famers, listed so as of card quantity.
Satchel Paige
Have been this card a 1948 problem, it might be Paige’s solely rookie card. As a substitute, the cardboard now shares honors with Paige’s 1949 Bowman card.
Phil Rizzuto
This card had been regarded by some collectors as a Rizzuto rookie card, alongside Rizzuto’s 1948 Bowman card. Not anymore. The Bowman stands alone!
Warren Spahn
Identical story because the Rizzuto: Leaf is not a rookie card.
Jackie Robinson
For a lot of collectors, Jackie’s “1948” Leaf was his true rookie card. As a substitute, it’s now tied together with his 1949 Bowman, although some collectors will supply a compelling case for his 1948 Swell “Sport Thrills” card, if not even earlier points resembling 1947 Bond Bread.
Ralph Kiner
Very like Messrs. Rizzuto and Spahn, Kiner’s Leaf card loses its rookie card standing to 1948 Bowman.
Hal Newhouser
Excellent news for Leaf collectors! Even with the proper 1949 designation, the Leaf card stays Hal Newhouser’s rookie card.
George Kell
The place some collectors might have thought-about the Leaf card to be Kell’s solely rookie, it’s now tied together with his 1949 Bowman card for rookie card standing.
Larry Doby
As with Kell, the Doby card now strikes from “solely rookie card” to sharing that standing with 1949 Bowman
* * * * *
In case it’s useful, I’ve ready this desk summarizing the “new” standing of the varied Leaf playing cards in query.
STILL A ROOKIE CARD?
So far as Interest impression, I’d say the impression on most collectors is zero as not many people have even a single card from this set, a lot much less a prized rookie-ish card of a Corridor of Famer. Nevertheless, I do surprise if the collectors on the market who might have paid exorbitant costs for Rizzuto, Spahn, and Kiner “rookies” could be entitled to some “RE:LEAF.” 😉
Further for Consultants
- Buying and selling Card Database (and different sources) checklist a number of different Corridor of Famers (e.g., Bob Feller, Johnny Mize) as having rookie playing cards within the Leaf set. Nevertheless, these gamers all have playing cards in a lot earlier units that I regard as main, resembling 1938 Goudey and 1941 Double Play.
- A contemporary requirement for rookie card standing is that the cardboard be licensed. Notably, a grand complete of zero playing cards within the Leaf baseball units had been licensed, a truth prompting six of the players to sue!
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