The Post War Cards Newsletter #22
Ted Williams' 1959 Contract With Fleer, The Hockey Wax Collector's Guide, NYC's 1981 Card Show, And More 1961 7-11 Baseball Card Info
I’m super excited to share the contract that Ted Williams signed with Fleer in January 1959. So, let’s get right to it!
⚾️🖊️ Ink To Cardboard: Ted Williams' 1959 Fleer Contract
After discussing the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams wax packs in the third Unopened Market Report, I thought I’d share a related and incredible piece of hobby history that was auctioned off in Mastro’s December 2004 catalog, a signed letter and the contract that Ted Williams signed with Fleer in January 1959!
It’s probably showing up a little small in the newsletter or on Substack, so here’s a link to a full-sized scan. The auction lot also included six original photos used in the 1959 Fleer set and two other wire photos.
Here’s Mastro’s complete item description:
This one-of-a-kind pair of typewritten, onionskin paper sheets, here offered, are the industry’s invaluable records of the conception and construction of a hobby classic: the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set. Each 8-1/2’’ x 11’’ page illuminates a portion of the interplay and terms-building that led to the series' genesis, and each is a fascinating component of card-making history. Accompanying the documents are eight official wire service photographs (black-and-white, all measuring approximately 8" x 10% and grading about EX to EX/MT with standard ublication faults), six of which were actually used as the design basis for individual cards within the 1959 Fleer card set. The items include: 12/29/1958 Letter to Ted Williams, from his agent, Fred Corcoran, discussing features of the pending Fleer agreement. Signed "Ted Williams" at lower margin in blue ballpoint (grading "9-10"). The letter presents as EX/MT. 1/2/1959 Executed Contract, between Williams and Fleer, signed "Ted Williams" in blue ballpoint ("9-10") and completed with amendments in the handwriting of the Williams and Fleer representatives. EX condition with standard filing folds and edge sues. Wire Service Photos (8) All have appropriate backstamping, captions and handwritten editorial notes. Including: 1946 Tagging the Plate the illustration seen on 1959 Fleer #53); 4/15/1947 Portrait w/Sunglasses; 6/25/1947 Williams' 1946 MVP Award (card #32); 6/16/1950 Ted Convalescing (#41); 6/21/1950 Williams w/Ruth and "Keen Eyes" (dual-layout photo, card #'s 2 and 24); 5/2/1952 Ted Hangs Up Uniform (card #44); and 11/12/53 Mustering Out. LOA from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA.
I wonder where this collectible is today; it's incredible.
✍️ Great Hobby Writing
Sports Collectors Daily: A Microscopic Look at 1969 Topps Baseball Manager Masterpieces
Sports Card Info: How To Spot A Fake Tom Brady 2000 Bowman Rookie of the Year Promotion Rookie Card
Night Owl Cards: Insulting
njwv: Sports Illustrated For Kids & 1940s Southern Pacific Playing Cards
The Topps Archives: Hip Check
Japanese Baseball Cards: Mystery Solved?
Topps Ripped: Bobo Newsom | The Story Behind His 1953 “Rookie Card”
Cardboard Catastrophes: 1961 Fleer Autograph Project - Part 46
Baseball Cards Come To Life: 1974 Topps Deckle Dating: Claude Osteen
Sports Collectors Daily: 1932 Sweetacres Gum Sports Champions Set Was Australia’s Version of Goudey Sport Kings
The Shlabotnik Report: Dead Parrot Frankenset: Three 1976-77 Topps Atlanta Flames
🏒 Unopened Item Of The Week - Hockey Wax Pack Collector’s Price Guide
If you’re into collecting vintage unopened hockey cards, you need to track down Bobby Burrell's and Roger Cunha’s Hockey Wax Pack Collector’s Guide. There isn’t a better guide on the subject than this one. Unfortunately, copies are scarce; if you find one online, it’ll probably be >$100.
Also, I could try to explain everything this 40+ page guide offers, but I ran across the following article in my archives that does it better than I ever could.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure of the article’s source. But I also have a color photo of the image used on it, so perhaps Burrell posted it in one of his Facebook groups, which you should definitely join.
PS: If you’re into unopened collecting or curious about the niche, consider upgrading to receive the weekly Unopened Market Report.
📝 On The Blog
Feb 13, 2025: The Enigmatic Cincinnati Reds Burger Beer Sets
Feb 14, 2025: From Grand Prize to Auction Block: The Fall 1992 Topps Magazine Centerfold Signed by Mantle, Mays, and Snider
Feb 15, 2025: Hank Aaron’s 1954 Topps Rookie Year Check: A $10 Deal for the 1955 Set
Feb 16, 2025: Joe Garagiola’s 1973 Topps Business Card: From Bubble Gum Blowouts to Baseball Card Lore
Feb 17, 2025: Exploring 1990s Hockey Insert Sets: 1993-94 and 1994-95 Donruss Elite Inserts
Feb 18, 2025: Hidden Highlight: The 1962 Topps Ken Hubbs Flexichrome Artwork from the 1995 NSCC Auction
Feb 19, 2025: Help Unravel A Mystery: The 1979 Topps Baseball Iron-Ons Test Issue
⚾️🏙️ Card Show History - The New York City Superstar Baseball Card Show
Oh, take me back to March 1981 and The New York City Superstar Baseball Card Show featuring, in person, Sal Maglie, Ed Kranepool, and Willie Mays! And for those complaining about table prices at shows these days, dealer tables were $90 at this show, and that was over 40 years ago. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: table prices may be the only thing that hasn’t inflated in price across the hobby.
💬 In The Hobby Library - Card Comments Vol. 3 No. 9
In Newsletter #3, I shared a few thoughts on 1961 7-11 baseball cards. A few weeks later, one of my hobby buddies came through with a few photos from the April 1961 issue of Card Comments. Even at the time of their release, collectors were scratching their heads—no one seemed to know who made these cards! But at least the Texas regionality was confirmed.
The mystery continues…
Happy collecting!