We at Memory Lane Inc. are proud to be chosen to offer Bernice Gallego's amazing
find of one of the most important pieces of Baseball Memorabilia issued in 1869.
Bernice Gallego, a 72 year old Fresno resident, last summer was looking through
a few old boxes of antiques for items to list on e-bay. She came across, what
looked like to her, an old card that had "Red Stocking B.B Club of Cincinnati"
on the front. Bernice and her husband Al have been selling antiques in their
Tower District Antique store since 1974. Its Bernice's job to find old items
that might have value. She did what she does with all items that go on e-bay:
Took a photo, wrote a description, and listed it. Lets put a $10 starting price
tag on it as $15 is too much as it cost 20 cents more to list it at $15. That
evening, she received a few e-mails asking interesting questions about the card.
Is it authentic? Would you end the auction early at an agreed price? Well,
fortunately for all collectors, Bernice pulled the item from e-bay and called
Rick Mirigian, a baseball card expert, who advised her of her find and what it
was. She did in fact uncover one of only three cards graded by PSA, a third
party authenticating service out of Santa Ana, California. She got the card
authenticated by PSA, making the total four.
ONE OF THE EARLIEST KNOWN CARDS EVER PRODUCED
The card was issued in 1869 and is one of the first Baseball Cards issued and
also the beginning of Baseball as we know it today. The card itself was issued
in multiple sizes as well as different backs. This card is the large version and
most desirable and is 1 of 4 graded authentic by PSA. The card has special
historical importance as it features Baseballs First Major League Team, the
1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings led by Hall of Famers Harry and George Wright
as well as having the advertising Peck & Snyder logo on the back, who were a
leading sports retailer at that time. This card has all of the players listed on
the front with a red Peck & Snyder logo on the back. Condition of this
incredible find is as follows: The card is centered nicely with upper right and
lower right creases. Pin hole in the top middle, with normal brown toning across
the card. A small white paper loss mark on the front middle players arm. The red
writing is clear as well as the players on the front, which is very Rare as the
other examples known to exist are slightly fuzzy. The back of the card has the
same normal brown toning with no other issues. This examples condition is one of
the best known to exist. "This card is extremely important because many
hobbyists consider it to be one of the very first baseball cards ever produced.
In addition, the sepia image featured on the front of the card captures the game
of baseball in its infancy," said Joe Orlando, President of PSA. Keep in mind this card
is 140 years old, which is the same decade Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated and 4
years after the Civil War ended as well as 16 years prior to the first Gas
powered vehicle and the birth of Babe Ruth. An Historical Piece of Baseball
Memorabilia is up for Auction.
AS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK, "COLLECTING SPORTS LEGENDS" by JOE ORLANDO
"This card, featuring the first professional team in the game, is considered by
many hobbyists to be the first true baseball card. Managed by Harry Wright, the
Red Stockings would dominate their opposition in 1869, giving ample reason for
the New York area sporting goods company (Peck & Snyder) to create such a card.
A sepia photograph is mounted on the front with a large ballplayer cartoon and
advertisement on the reverse. These cards came in two different sizes, one
measuring approximately 4 3/16” by 3 5/16” (large) and the other measuring 3
5/16” by 2 3/8” (small). From the classic uniforms to the boot-like shoes, the
photograph captures the birth of our great pastime at the professional level.
Can you imagine playing baseball without gloves? That is exactly what these
pioneers had to do. This card symbolizes the beginning of the hobby that
millions of collectors have come to enjoy ever since.”
"The winner of this card will have the option to have a press release
stating that they are the winner of the 1869 Peck & Snyder Cincinnati Red
Stocking Card."
Rick Walls, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Reds Hall Of Fame and Museum, was recently quoted as saying, "I read with great interest the article in the Fresno Bee regarding your recent find, which sounds like a very rare artifact and one that I have not seen before. "He also congratulated Bernice on her "fantastic find" and offers the winning bidder a chance to display the card in the Cincinnati Reds Hall Of Fame and Museum for a short period of time.
PRESS RELEASES
Over a 100 Million
people have read the amazing story worldwide.
Click here to read press releases, and
find out more about this Historic find.
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