In the world of sports memorabilia collecting, there is always the hope of stumbling upon an unexpected treasure. And that’s exactly what happened recently, as a remarkable find has emerged, shedding new light on the history of early baseball cards. Tucked away in a seemingly ordinary Band-Aid box, a cache of 39 cards from the elusive 1921 Herpolsheimer set has been unveiled for auction, including nine cards that were previously unknown to collectors. This extraordinary discovery, hidden for close to a century, has now taken center stage in Love of the Game Auctions’ ongoing event.
The Herpolsheimer cards, which were issued in 1921, have long been regarded as some of the rarest in the baseball card collecting world. Only 105 cards from this set had been authenticated and graded across both PSA and SGC population reports. However, this recent find not only expands the known universe of these cards but also adds new faces to the mix.
Al Crisafulli, the auction director at Love of the Game, could hardly contain his excitement about the find. “I’ve been captivated by these cards for years,” he shared with a sense of awe. This sentiment is shared by serious collectors who are well aware of the rarity and historical value of the Herpolsheimer issue.
The story behind this find is as intriguing as the cards themselves. In 2019, during an estate sale near Grand Rapids, Michigan, the cards were stumbled upon inside a Band-Aid box of all places. A humble container that harbored a small fortune in paper treasures. After maintaining contact with the owner of the cards for four years, Crisafulli finally secured these gems for auction. They have since been graded by PSA, and each card will be auctioned off individually.
Among the impressive haul is a card featuring Babe Ruth, only the second of its kind known to exist. Given the scarcity and legendary status of the Great Bambino, this card alone is expected to fetch a high price at auction. Other Hall of Famers, including Tris Speaker, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Rabbit Maranville, John McGraw, Red Faber, and Sam Rice, also grace this newfound collection, further enhancing its significance.
Not only are the fronts of these cards captivating, but the backs hold their own intrigue as well. They serve as advertisements for the Grand Rapids retail store’s Boy’s Fashion Shop. The discovery of additional cards not listed in the original checklist, such as Dave Bancroft, Johnny Evers, Harry Hooper, Stuffy McInnis, Art Nehf, Wally Schang, George Sisler, Casey Stengel, and Fred Toney, suggests that the set is larger than previously thought. It is now believed that the complete set could comprise 78 or 79 cards instead of the original estimate of 69 or 70.
Crisafulli first became aware of these cards in 2019 when the owner discreetly inquired about them on the Net54 sports card forum. The post caught the attention of forum members and Crisafulli, who reached out and maintained contact until the cards were consigned for auction.
The history of the Herpolsheimer Company, the retailer behind these cards, is as fascinating as the collection itself. Founded in 1870 as a dry goods store by William Godlove Herpolsheimer and Charles G.A. Voigt, it soon became a significant presence in Grand Rapids and beyond. Henry Herpolsheimer later took over the company, followed by his son Arthur, who led the expansion into furniture sales through a merger. Unfortunately, Arthur’s life ended prematurely, adding a somber note to the family’s legacy.
The store’s impact on national history is also worth noting, as Betty Bloomer, who later became First Lady as the wife of President Gerald R. Ford, worked there as a fashion coordinator in 1942.
The discovery of this second batch of Herpolsheimer cards challenges the previous understanding of their distribution and significance, suggesting a more widespread release than previously believed. It paints a vivid picture of a department store that cleverly used the allure of baseball’s most celebrated figures to attract and engage its customers.
The Band-Aid box in which these cards were found, a relic from the 1930s, serves as a poignant reminder of the journey these cards have taken—from being a promotional tool in a local store to becoming coveted historical artifacts in the world of collectibles.
As the auction date draws nearer, these cards are poised to captivate the collecting community, offering a rare glimpse into the early days of baseball card collecting. Each card, with its faint pencil markings and signs of wear from years of handling, tells a unique story—one that collectors will soon have the opportunity to continue as they become the new guardians of these precious pieces of baseball history.
