1949 Remar Baking Charles Dressen

I had never seen one of these cards before this one arrived a few weeks back.

The 32-card set was exclusively comprised of members of the Pacific Coast League's Oakland Oaks. And while Charlie Dressen would make a name for himself as manager of Brooklyn's Boys of Summer from 1951-53, the best know acorn on the team was a young infielder named Billy Martin.

Only available in the Bay Area, this is a fairly rare set but not a particularly  expensive one. Distributed in loaves of Remar bread, samples can be found for under $10.

What a treat to go along with that peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

1920 W516 George Kelly

It happened again.

I was talking to a local baseball card store owner a few weeks ago and I was explaining my preference for poor old baseball cards. The man said he was reluctant in buying poor cards because there's no market.

It's not like someone comes in every day asking for a ripped Mickey Mantle or a heavily creased Willie Mays.

But there's something I've noticed lately. The value of poor old baseball cards is going up, up, up.

A few years ago, this Highpockets Kelly would have fetched about $5 in this condition. I paid $15.

A few years ago, I could find a ripped or heavily creased T206 for under $10. Today, you'd need to spend about $12-14 for the worst of the worst.

Yesterday, I bid on a lot of 12 1933 Goudeys. Each had a hole near the top where it was obviously pinned to a corkboard. These cards were in bad shape, and that's something coming from me. I was outbid at $52.09.

Time after time I'm seeing these cards selling for higher and higher prices. I find that to be both sad and exciting. Sad that it stretches my wallet and exciting that these old gems are being appreciated.

I guess I'm not the only one out there collecting poor old baseball cards.

1948 R346 Blue Tint Ewell Blackwell

In every post, I try to give a little information about each card.

What I do know is Ewell Blackwell was considered one of the most feared pitchers of his day. Think Randy Johnson.

He was a tall (6-6) and lanky. And he had an unconventional sidearm delivery.

In 1947, he was one inning away from tying teammate Johnny Vander Meer as the only pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters.

That being said, I honestly know little about this Blue Tint set.

First, a little inside baseball card talk. This card is designated by an 'R' as in R346. Generally speaking, that means it's a gum and candy card. But from what I can tell, this card was available in strips, meaning it should be designated a 'W' card.

There's no doubt it was hand cut but I've read it was available in strips of six or eight cards. But where was it available? Was it sold in vending machines or in corner stores?

Surely there's someone out there who can share their knowledge of this not-so-common set.

1948 R448 Swell Sport Thrills Most Dramatic Home Run (Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig)

Generally speaking, you'd be lucky to find Mickey Mantle or Jackie Robinson cards issued during their playing days for less than $40.

Poor old Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax cards are a bargain between $10 and $15.

Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth?

Good Luck finding Gehrig for under $400 in any condition or Ruth for under $700.

I've been looking for a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth for years but can't seem to find the right one. Even those that appear to have been driven over by a truck will set you back $800.

While it's not a card issued during their playing days, this 1948 Swell Sport Thrills card is a fairly rare and early card of the duo. Is there an earlier card featuring the two Yankee legends?

I admit it, I paid $75 for this beauty. Did I get a good deal? How much would you pay?