A treasure trove of baseball history is set to capture the attention of collectors at the upcoming Spring Sports Card Catalog sale hosted by Heritage Auctions. This remarkable sale includes a series of seven baseball cards from the 1928 Greiner’s Bread promotion, offering a rare peek into the rich narrative of baseball’s early days. Originating from a Pennsylvania bakery, these nearly century-old cards are making their way to the hobby market, sparking excitement among enthusiasts and historians alike.
Highlighted in this auction are cards of baseball luminaries such as Edd Roush and George Kelly, with both legends' cards being the highest-graded examples from this series, each earning a PSA 4 rating. Their inclusion not only celebrates their athletic achievements but also commemorates a notable moment in baseball history — a trade between the two players in the 1920s. Additional cards feature baseball greats Lou Gehrig, Gabby Hartnett, Goose Goslin, and Bob O’Farrell, with O’Farrell’s claim to fame being his decisive play in the 1926 World Series. The collection is completed with a card of pitcher George Uhle, valued for its scarcity and historical significance.
The design of the 1928 Greiner's Bread cards sets them apart, with player names and numbers presented within a distinctive rectangular box, differentiating them from their contemporaries, the W502 strip cards and the 1927 E210 York Caramel set. This design uniqueness, coupled with the rarity of the cards, underscores the special nature of this auction.
Beyond the allure of individual cards, the story of the Greiner Bakery Co. intertwines with the history of baseball card collecting. Established in the late 19th century, the bakery became known for its creative promotions, including the baseball card giveaway, embedding itself in the fabric of Pennsylvania’s cultural and sporting history.
As collectors and enthusiasts look forward to the Heritage Auctions sale, the anticipation around the Lou Gehrig card, in particular, is mounting. Gehrig's unparalleled contributions to baseball during the 1927 and 1928 seasons are immortalized in these cards, making them a focal point of the auction.
This event not only celebrates the legacy of baseball's past heroes but also highlights the enduring connection between the sport and its fans. Through these rare cards, the legends of the diamond live on, bridging generations of baseball enthusiasts and preserving the spirit of the game for future fans.