This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
5/30/2012
In a quantum step beyond the mainstream of tobacco and candy cards, we here unveil a complete set of 1916 Ferguson Bakery baseball pennants. Cited as BF2 in the A.C.C., these six-inch felt player pennants were dispensed individually (and exclusively) in retail units of the sponsor's product - and quite regionally, at that (Roxbury, Massachusetts).
Centrally featured on these are photo prints of players across the spectrum of Major Leagues' 16 teams. These images were drawn from the same pool that was used to produce the contemporaneously appearing Sporting News card issues. The distribution of players per team is a bit imbalanced as there's stronger representation of popular clubs (typified by the White Sox, Phillies, and Giants) at the expense of more marginal teams (such as the Reds, Highlanders, and Cardinals).
There are 97 subjects in BF2. However, three of these (Jack Barry, George Burns, and Guy Morton) were "updated" during production (to correct originally misidentified photos, we suppose). The purist in today's industry then seeks a hundred different in the issue, and that's precisely the constitution of this available set.
Overall, the condition of this set is remarkable - averaging EX/MT - and because each pennant is important, regardless of player stature, we'll itemize their conditions individually. Naturally, none of these are encapsulated by a professional grading service, yet with earnest fidelity we will report the condition of each piece - to factor the variables of wear, cleanliness, centeredness of applied imagery, manufacturing imperfections, and the integrity of the photo applique.
NM/better - Jimmy Archer, George Burns (glove vis.), Charlie Comiskey, Harry Coveleskie (sic), Gavvy Cravath, Josh Devore, Hank Gowdy, Earl Hamilton, Harry Hooper, Miller Huggins, Bill Killefer, Dutch Leonard, Duffy Lewis, Al Mamaux, Rabbit Maranville, Ed Murphy, Pants Rowland, Jim Scott, Joe Tinker, Bobby Veach, Honus Wagner, Buck Weaver, and Heinie Zimmerman.
EX/MT - Dave Bancroft, Jack Barry (glove vis.), Chief Bender, Donie Bush, Max Carey, Red Faber, Del Gainer (sic), Chick Gandil, Joe Gedeon, Claude Hendrix, Joe Jackson, Bill James, Hughie Jennings, Fielder Jones, Bennie Kauff, John Lavan, Hans Lobert, Fred Luderus, Connie Mack, Rube Marquard, George McBride, John McGraw, Jack McInnis, Pat Moran, Ray Morgan, Dick Rudolph, Reb Russell, Vic Saier, Ray Schalk, Wally Schang, Frank Schulte, George Sisler, Oscar Stanage, Jim Vaughn, and Pep Young.
EX - Joe Benz, Forrest Cady, Ray Chapman, Ty Cobb (slightly off-center), Eddie Collins (light wear on applique), Shano Collins, Sam Crawford (mod. soiling on reverse), Jake Daubert, Larry Doyle, Johnny Evers (light stain), Eddie Foster, Walter Johnson (poss. tack hole), Nap Lajoie (mildly off-center), Fred Merkle, Clyde Milan, Guy Morton (throwing), Rube Oldering, Dode Paskert, Slim Sallee, George Stallings, Ed Walsh (slightly soiled), Ivy Wingo, and Joe Wood.
VG-VG/EX (mostly VG/EX) - Grover Alexander (stitched perimeter - VG), Frank Baker (crease in photo), Jack Barry (glove not vis.), Mordecai Brown (stitched perimeter - VG), George Burns (glove not vis.), Red Dooin, Jean Dubuc, Buck Herzog, Joe Judge, Jack Lapp, Jimmy Lavender, Sherry Magee, Chief Meyers, Otto Miller, Guy Morton (batting), Wall Pipp, Nap Rucker, Jeff Tesreau, and George Tyler.