A Hobby Mystery Is Solved: W555's

The vintage card hobby is filled with cards and sets whose origins are completely foreign to collectors. Who made them? How were they distributed? How many cards are in the set? When were they made? An example of an unknown set are the tiny cards above. They are known as W555's and feature a 1-1/4 x 1-5/16 square sepia photo of early Baseball players from 1909.

Over the holiday weekend Vintage Baseball Card Forum host Leon shared the only known complete box detailing the origins of the issue. See it below. They came attached to what looks like a candy/ caramel box since it states "Under the Food and Drugs Act" and were produced by Jay S. Meyer of Philadelphia. Also, it is shaped like a "pin hole" camera. It appears that a fan would cut out the little cards in order to pretend that they were photos taken with the camera candy box. The cards could now be renamed "Baseball Snap Shots."
The best part is that you can print out a copy of the card, cut out the black spaces, trim the edges and put the box together yourself.

Hat Tip: VBCF:

My Nephew Learns His First Song

My Nephew of 27 months has just learned his first song. Please forgive my indulgence as he sings "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," with Dad's assistance.



YouTube Link: Trevor Sings:

Baseball Draft Hits Big Time

Baseball is trying to hype up their draft. The only possible consequence are higher priced contracts and bonuses for unproven talent. When will the madness stop.

"Take note of the pomp and circumstance, the hype, the glitz, and the complete production that Major League Baseball will attempt to make of its annual first-year player draft when, in the grand tradition of the NFL, the event is nationally televised for the first time in its 43-year history."

"Pay attention to Tommy Lasorda, the legendary Dodgers manager who will attend the league-wide event in Orlando, Fla., and will be the face of the organization as it makes two of the first 39 selections."

MLB.com has more.

"Lasorda will again be at the microphone to announce the Dodgers' selection when MLB.com broadcasts every pick of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, which takes place June 7-8 at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. Day 1 coverage begins at 11 a.m. PT with a simulcast of ESPN2's broadcast of the first round and compensation picks. Video coverage of the remaining rounds on Day 1 will air at MLB.com, with live interviews and analysis from Orlando by Casey Stern, Jonathan Mayo and Perfect Game USA's Dave Rawnsley."

Story Link:Press-Telegram:
Story Link: MLB.com:

Happy Memorial Day

Photo Link: David Quick:

Photos from Star Wars Celebration IV

Here are some photos I took at Star Wars Celebration IV yesterday.



For more pics check out my photoalbum here.
YouTube Video Link: Star Wars Celebration IV Model Display:

Nerds and Geeks of the World Unite!

If you don't already have plans for this weekend check out the Los Angeles Convention Center for one of the largest fan conventions in the country. This Memorial Day Weekend Los Angeles is hosting the Star Wars Celebration IV convention. Fans from all over the world are expected to arrive. Also of note, much of this convention is put together by the fans themselves.

I've never been a huge Star Wars fanatic, but I have many friends who are. I'm thinking about showing up for one of the days just to check it out.

Click here for the general information:

Click here for the Convention Blog:

The pic above comes from a place I can't find anymore, so I can't link it. I think I found it via Yahoo. Anyway it is a Darth Vader balloon from Belgium.