That's Why I Don't Buy Blasters - Volume II - Batter Up!

A couple of weeks ago I started a new series here on the blog, entitled 'That's Why I Don't Buy Blasters'.  Pretty self-explanatory concept.  In the first post I ended up with a really nice 1964 Topps Stand-Up Ernie Banks.  I wasn't sure I'd be able to top that one for some time, but I think I may have already done so...

This is a 1934-36 Batter Up card.  How cool is that?  These were made by National Chicle, the same company that produced the Diamond Stars cards during that same time period.  Like the Ernie Banks card I featured in my last post they were stand-ups, die cut around the player's photo and then perforated at the half-way point so that you could punch out your player and fold down the back of the card.  First series cards (1-80) measure 3 1/4" x 2 3/8".  Like most stand-ups, the backs are totally blank, so the card number is written in the lower right corner of the card front.

The subject of this card is Hal Schumacher of the New York Giants.  I was instantly drawn to these because of the awesome, old-timey photos.  I've never heard of Schumacher, but just look at those stir-ups and that glove!  Not to mention I think it's great any time I can add a vintage New York Giants card to the collection.  Speaking of New York franchises of yesteryear...

I like this one more than the first.  I've said it a few times before, but if I had an unlimited card budget I'd attempt to collect every single Brooklyn Dodgers card out there.  The highlight of this card is the patch on the sleeve for sure.  Both of these cards still have their top halves intact, which is something you don't always find if you're bargain hunting for them like I was here.

These are fantastic cards, and I would have been happy with just the two for the price of a blaster, but as it stands they set me back just $7 a piece.  In fact, they were just purchased as add-ons when I looked to see what other cards an eBay seller I was buying from had for sale.  Here's the original card that led me to those last two:

A great vintage catcher's card if I've ever seen one!  When I stumbled upon this card with a $7 Buy-it-Now price, it was one of those where you just react immediately and click buy.  All the usual care I take when purchasing a card, like price comparison, online research, etc. just went out the window because I had to have that card!  I didn't know it at the time but Hemsley had a decent career, he was a 5x All-Star and at one point was Bob Feller's personal catcher.  In fact, he even caught a Feller no-hitter!  I'm not sure I'll ever find any of these for this little cash again, but I'll certainly cherish these three for the time being.

1934 Batter Up Cards - $7 each
Shipping - Free!
Total - $21

Like I said, I like these for the same reason that I enjoyed the Conlon sets from the '90s, it's just so interesting to see these old black and white photos, a window back into baseball's great past.  These cards are nearly 80 years old now, you won't find that under shrink wrap at your local big box store...