Nope. In my quest to gather type cards, I thought I'd pick one up from each decade. I didn't have one from the 1920s. Now I do. May I present Mr. Clifton Earl Heathcote.
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| 1922 E120 American Caramel Co. Clif Heathcote (90) |
He won my heart and I won the auction. A bit of surface wear and corner rounding, but I bet you'd have some, too, if you were 92 years old. Two names from the back jump out at me. Rogers Hornsby and Branch Rickey. How would you like to have played with Rogers and played for Branch? Sorry. Mr. Rickey.
Not knowing much about Clif Heathcote, I looked him up at Baseball-Reference.com. 18 seasons in the majors, starting with the Cardinals, then moving to the Cubs, the Reds and finishing with the Phillies.
He got his first major league hit in his second major league game. The Cardinals were visiting the Brooklyn Robins on June 5, 1918. Leon Cadore gave up just four hits that day. Clif's was one of them. The Cardinals lost, 2-0.
His last game in the majors was on September 24, 1932, where he pinch batted in the 5th inning. He didn't connect.
His last hit was on September 16, 1932, where he pinch hit for Ed Holley in the 9th and got a double off of Cub's pitcher Bud Tinning. The Phillies lost that game 3-2.
The card set? It was assigned E120 in the American Card Catalog. According to the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards:
One of the most popular sets of the 1920s candy cards, the 1922 E120s were produced by the American Caramel Co. and distributed with sticks of caramel candy. The unnumbered cards measure 2" x 3-1/2". Cards depicting players from the American League are printed in brown ink on thin cream cardboard; National Leaguers are printed in green on blue-green stock. Backs carry team checklists. Many of the E120 photos were used in other sets of the era. A pair of 11-1/2" x 10-1/2" albums, holding 120 each and stamped American or National League were also issued.So, happy Valentine's Day. Fall in love with your cards again. You'll be glad you did.
This post is great, Mark. I have to admit that getting my cards "back" from my mom's house has rekindled my love for the hobby. I've was always a bit obsessive about my cards and about Brewers collectibles when I was a kid/teen, and I let that thrill of the chase of fun memorabilia slip away from me for a while. In the end and as the junk wax period shows, it's not about perceived "book value" or about "investments", it is a "hobby" and it is FUN! Thanks again for the post -- it's a great reminder to approach our collections from an adult perspective but with the eyes and acceptance of a child.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
DeleteMy cards and I have an "on again", "off again" relationship. Things have been going good for the past five years, but I've got to admit I'm thinking about making some changes in the next year or so.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your pickup. I don't think I own anything from the 20's... might have to look into one of these beautiful cards.
Thanks. I got it for less than half the cost of a blaster.
DeleteI will have to get one of these
ReplyDeleteFantastic card! If I had an unlimited card budget I'd strongly consider chasing after this set, they're real beauties.
ReplyDelete