BASKETBALL CARDS, EPHEMERA & MEMORABILIA
​
18XX - 1914

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
​Images are all from the Retro Baloncesto collection and are ascending by year. The rarity scale (for cards) is based on graded POP reports, online exemplars, past listings, available sales history and is subject to change. 

1878​​

CHILDHOOD BIBLE OF LUTHER HALSEY GULICK, GIFTED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER WITH INSCRIPTION

Luther Gulick’s personal boyhood bible – The Holy Bible, Old & New Testaments, by America Bible Society 1877. The inscription inside the front cover states in ink, “Luther H. Gulick, Presented by his grand-mother Fanny. F (or P?) Gulick, Nov. 26th, 1878”. “1878” is also written in pencil underneath the inscription. Inside the back cover is written in pencil, "Frances Jewett Gulick" in what looks like a child's handwriting, indicating that Luther handed his bible down to his daughter Frances. Also inside the back cover in pencil is, "#152 - 1.00" which may be the bible's catalog number and original price. Bible measures approx. 6”x4.5”x2” This bible was obtained from a antique book seller specializing in bibles. Bible is in Acceptable condition with significant wear, tears in cover at hinges, gutters are showing tears, sections of pages are loose but still mostly attached to binding, gilt page edges are dull, ribbon page marker is no longer attached to binding but is sticking out top and bottom of book.

About Luther Gulick: Luther Halsey Gulick was the catalyst for the invention of basketball. Gulick was founding superintendent of the physical education department of the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1887-1900. He designed a triangle logo—Spirit, Mind, & Body—representing the YMCA philosophy.

Gulick persuaded a young instructor named James Naismith, a teacher at the school, to create an indoor game that could be played during the off-season. In response, Naismith invented and popularized basketball. Gulick worked with Naismith to spread the sport, chairing the Basketball Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union (1895–1905) and representing the United States Olympic Committee during the 1908 Olympic Games. For his efforts to increase the popularity of basketball and of physical fitness in general, Gulick was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1959.
​
Gulick also founded the Camp Fire Girls organization in 1910 and co-founded the Playground Association of America, now known as the National Recreation and Parks Association. Gulick's contributions to the creation of the modern Olympic Games and the establishment of the Camp Fire Girls and the Boy Scouts of America highlight his enduring legacy in promoting health, fitness, and character development among youth.

​1892

ORIGINAL SIGNED LETTER BY GEORGE T. HEPBRON WITH ENVELOPE, OCTOBER 28TH, 1892

This letter was initially written in 1892, but Hepbron sent it later to his wife in 1902, in order to impress her with his correspondence to a colleague those 10 years earlier. The envelope is labeled from the Amateur Athletic Union Basketball Committee letterhead and the letter is signed by George Hepbron on the reverse. His signature is very rare to find, I have only seen one other example from a Heritage auction in 2015 (Lot #83060) on a 1921 Basketball Committee Certificate. George T. Hepbron was a close friend of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, and played a major role in the early development of the game, especially in the area of rules. He held leadership roles with the Amateur Athletic Union Basketball Committee and the National Basketball Rules Committee. Hebron wrote the very first book on the game, How to play Basketball, in 1904 and conducted the first national rules seminar. He was also the editor and rules interpreter of the early Spalding’s basketball guides for men and women. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of fame in 1960 as a referee.

​1894

1894 MCLAUGHLIN COFFEE XXXX Z9 PAPER DOLL & COSTUME SERIES 5-4 (U.S.A.)

The McLaughlin XXXX coffee paper dolls are classified as Z-Cards in the American Card Catalog by Jefferson Burdick. Specifically, they are a Z-9 issue as they are a coffee and food insert. From 1894 to 1900, these dolls were distributed in envelopes labeled for children in every one-pound package of their coffee. This 5-4 series was distributed in October of 1894. There has been debate as to whether the ball featured on this particular costume is actually a basketball.  I (personally) consider it to be a basketball after my own research and juxtaposition of evidence. You can read an article where I take a deep dive into the subject HERE.  If it is a basketball, then this would be the first basketball collectible that was ever made.
Measurements: Figures approx. 5" tall, outfits approx. 3" tall

THANKSGIVING 1894 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT YMCA INVITATION (BASKET BALL GAME MENTIONED AFTER DINNER)

​1895

VASSAR COLLEGE, THE VASSARION 1895 YEARBOOK FEATURING ILLUSTRATIONS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AND LISTS OF PLAYERS/TEAMS

​1896

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 1896, 5 PAGE ARTICLE ON BASKETBALL WITH PHOTOS

1896 YMCA BRONZE MEDALS WITH PINNED RIBBONS FROM NEWPORT COUNTY, RHODE ISLAND 

AMERICAN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE, MAY 1896, ARTICLE ON THE ATROCITIES OF BASKETBALL (ARGUES THE GAME SHOULD BE BANNED FOR WOMEN)

​1897

1897 BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY L'AGENDA YEARBOOK FEATURING A DESCRPITION OF BASKET BALL + PHOTOS/ROSTERS OF THE MEN'S & WOMEN'S TEAMS

​1898

1898 BALTIMORE CITY COLLEGE YEARBOOK "THE GREEN BAG" WITH PHOTOS OF PLAYERS, TEAMS AND A SUMMARY OF THEIR 1897 SEASON

​1899

1899 J.L. PRESCOTT & CO ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY BOY ENAMELINE Z12 COLLEGE DOLL (U.S.A.)

This doll was released with Enameline Stove Polish and was part of a series of 9 dolls that included Baseball, Football, Tennis and other sports. The consensus is that this is a Basketball given that there is already a football featured in the set. The debate continues however as to whether or not this would be considered an actual card. ​Either way, this is one of the earliest Basketball collectibles there is. Measurements: Approx. 2.5" x 5.75"

​1900

APRIL 14TH, 1900 TIP TOP WEEKLY #209
BASKETBALL COVER & STORY

OCTOBER 19TH, 1900 THREE CHUMS WEEKLY #50
BASKETBALL COVER & STORY

1900 LARGE CABINET CARD PHOTOGRAPH OF UNKNOWN BASKETBALL TEAM

CIRCA 1900 INVITATION/TICKET TO A BASKET BALL TOURNAMENT AT THE CENTRAL BRANCH YMCA OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Tournament took place on March 21st, year unknown. The Fulton Street YMCA opened its doors in 1895 and the font used on this ticket was commonly used at the turn of the century.

​1901

1901 A.G. SPALDING & BROS. CHICAGO PURCHASE RECEIPT FOR A BASKET BALL

MARCH 30th, 1901 BASKET BALL GAME TICKET, R.P.I. vs S.W.C. AT STATE ARMORY, SCHENCTADY, N.Y.

The game was held at Schenectady State Armory, a building that was constructed 2 years prior at the onset of the Spanish American war. The teams playing were the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Continentals of Troy, New York and S.W.C. (I'm unsure what school team this acronym represents)

​1902

HARPER'S WEEKLY MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 22nd, 1902, 2 PAGE ARTICLE WITH PHOTOS ABOUT WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

HARPER'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 1902, EARLY FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT (IVORY SOAP) FEATURING WOMEN PLAYING BASKETBALL

​1903

1903 TETLOW COLLEGE GIRL SERIES PRINCETON BASKETBALL (U.S.A.)

The front of this example is in fantastic condition, the low grade is due to the tape residue and discoloring on the back. There is a debate whether or not this is the first Basketball card produced or if that honor belongs to the Murad Williams College card released in 1909-10. Regardless of where you stand on that, this is still an awesome early Basketball collectible.
This College Girl Series consisted of 4 cards, all depicting various sports. While Princeton isn't named on the Basketball card, the pennant is in Princeton colors and the other 3 cards
​(Penn, Harvard, Yale) are all Ivy League with their ​appropriate school colors, so Princeton is assumed. Also pictured is the original pack that the College Girl Sports Series were initially distributed in. Measurements: 4" x 6"

JANUARY 3rd, 1903 TIP TOP WEEKLY #351
BASKETBALL COVER & STORY

MARCH 14th, 1903 TIP TOP WEEKLY #361  BASKETBALL COVER & STORY

​1904

1904-05 BAINES SHIELD SCHOOL GIRLS E.S.B. OPEN COLLAR & NET BALL ​E.S.B. CLOSED COLLAR (U.K.)

The Baines Company manufactured jersey shirts and sweaters and produced shield shaped cards with color lithograph fronts and their advertising on back. The cards were distributed in promotional packets and were primarily football but had 2 "Net Ball" cards with slight variations. Net Ball was a variation on Basketball that became quite popular in Europe in the early 20th Century. ​Measurements: Approx. 2.75" x 3"

MARCH 3rd, 1904 BASKET BALL GAME TICKET, MATCH BETWEEN THE ALLENTOWN YMCA VS. ALLENTOWN PROFS

THE BURR McINTOSH MONTHLY MAY 1904 FEATURING PANAROMIC PHOTOGRAPH OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S BASKETBALL TEAM

​1905

1905-09 VARIOUS BASKETBALL THEMED POSTCARDS

Postcards are grouped together because years are estimated with those without dates or postmarks.

CIRCA 1905 PENCIL BOX CASE (MAKER UNKNOWN)

DICK MERRIWELL'S FIVE BY BURT L. STANDISH, THE MERRIWELL SERIES NO.130, 1905

DECEMBER 16th, 1905 TIP TOP WEEKLY #505 BASKETBALL COVER & STORY

1905-1907 WESLEYEN UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL POCKET SCHEDULES

​1906

1906 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS "THE JAYHAWKER" YEARBOOK FEATURING JAMES NAISMITH & F.C. "PHOG" ALLEN (REBOUND)

This yearbook is F.C. "Phog" Allen's first year at University of Kansas as a student and athlete, where he would eventually spend the majority of his impressive coaching career. He was a basketball player and is pictured with the team. He was also on the Football team. His coach and mentor James Naismith is also pictured in the yearbook.

​1907

1907 DRAPER'S SELF CULTURE VOL. 6, SPORTS, PASTIMES AND PHYSICAL CULTURE WITH THE OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES BY JAMES NAISMITH

​1908

1908-10 FABRICA DE CROMOS FRIEDRICHS BARCELONA TRADE CARD ADVERTISING JOAQUIN MARANES (SPAIN)

This card/image was published by various European manufacturers as both advertising trade cards and postcards. The trade cards seem to be much rarer than the postcards.
This particular trade card was manufactured in Spain and advertises the shop, Joaquín Marañés, in Toledo (outside of Madrid). It is the only card I have seen that advertises this particular vendor. Another known trade card (not pictured) advertises the French company, Jules Macors distillery, and was published by Chromos E Deiters of Belgium.
Measurements: 3.5" x 5"

DECEMBER 18th, 1908 BASKET BALL GAME TICKET, MATCH BETWEEN THE C.H. YMCA VS. DETROIT JUNIOR TEAM

DICK MERRIWELL'S PROMISE BY BURT L. STANDISH NEW MEDAL LIBRARY BOOK #446 JANUARY 13TH, 1908

1908 THE BOYS' BEST WEEKLY #10, JACK STANFAST'S WORK AT FORWARD or BEATING CRESTON AT BASKET BALL BOOK

1908 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS "THE JAYHAWKER" YEARBOOK FEATURING JAMES NAISMITH & F.C. "PHOG" ALLEN (1st YEAR COACHING)

This features Phog Allen's very 1st year as their Basketball coach. It includes photos of Allen, Naismith, the Basketball Team and a section describing Allen's recent move/position at U of K.

*Rarer in high grade, Williams 1st series rarest of the set, Williams 1st series #14 variation rarest of all.

​1909

NOVEMBER 20th, 1909 THE SATURDAY EVENING POST MAGAZINE (WOMAN WITH BASKETBALL COVER)

1908-1909 K.C.A.C. MIDGETS TEAM, CHAMPIONS OF GREATER KANSAS CITY AMATEUR BASKETBALL LEAGUE CABINET CARD PHOTOGRAPH

1910

1909-11 MURAD CIGARETTES T51 COLLEGE SERIES CARDS (U.S.A.)

The Murad set was produced by S. Anargyros Tobacco Company and released in their packs of Murad Turkish Cigarettes between 1909-1911. The T51 cards had an illustrated chromolithograph image that showed various athletes and sports with their accompanying colleges and universities. Released in a series of 6, at different times, the Murad set totaled 225 cards in all, with 4 cards (and their variations) that featured basketball. ​The first basketball card released in the set was Williams college, which came in 3 variations. Two variants were from the 1st edition, which is determined by the term “College Series 1 to 25” in the lower left corner of the card without any text to its right indicating a 2nd Edition. Of these two variants, there is one that has the number 14 listed in the lower right. This is the scarcer of the two 1st editions and the rarest of the Murad T51 basketball cards. The subsequent 2nd edition Williams College, as well as the Murad basketball cards from Northwestern University (2 editions), Luther College and Xavier College are all part of the same set but the honor of the 1st basketball card of the series (or possibly 1st basketball card ever) goes to the Williams 1st edition, as it was the first to be released.   Measurements: 2.5" x 2"  

1910-11 MURAD CIGARETTES T6 COLLEGE SERIES WILLIAMS #24 TYPE 1&2 CARDS (U.S.A.)

The T6 Murad cards used the same images as the T51s but were much larger and limited to 25 cards in the series. Williams #24 was the only basketball card in the series and was made with 2 different versions, distinguished by the Flag placement/coloring, ball shape and font. You had to collect coupons that were distributed in cigarette packs to send in to receive T6 cards,
​so they are much rarer than the smaller T51 cards.  Measurements: 5" x 8"

MARCH 17th, 1910 THE YOUTH'S COMPANION (NEW ENGLAND EDITION) FEATURING WILLIAMS COLLEGE & MT. HOLYOKE BASKETBALL TEAMS

The 1910 Williams College Varsity Team on the cover is the team used on the 1st Murad College Series Basketball Card (Williams College)

1910-1912 MURAD B33 COLLEGE ATHLETE, PENNANT, SEAL TOBACCO FELTS (U.S.A.)

*Some Colleges/Universities rarer than others. There is no known example of Bucknell University.

Murad also released College felts that represented 30 colleges and their various sports. Each college had a Basketball felt with the same player image but featured the college name and colors. Some of these felts are common to find, while others are very scarce. There is no example known of Bucknell University. Measurements: 3" x 5"

1910-1912 RICHMOND STRAIGHT CUT S23 COLLEGE FLAG, PENNANT, SEAL, SONG, YELL OBERLIN COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER TOBACCO SILKS (U.S.A.)

Richmond Straight Cut cigarettes started including sports themed silks with their tobacco around 1910. There are 2 Basketball themed silks, one featuring Oberlin College and the other University of Rochester. These silks are quite rare and hard to find in good condition. Measurements: 4" x 5.5"

CIRCA 1910 WALTON SHOE PORTZ BROTHERS COMPANY INK BLOTTER (U.S.A.)

1910-1912 B16 (Type 1A) COLLEGE SEALS FLANNEL, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (U.S.A.)

The large B16 College Flannels were released in the 1910s with the exact manufacturer unknown. There were 3 Types, with Type 1 broken into Series A & B with different variations. There are only 2 Basketball Flannels, the Type 1A UNC (pictured) is much more common than the other Type 1B Kentucky (not in collection).
​Measures 5.5" x 8.25"

CIRCA 1910 CHILD'S HANDKERCHIEFS BOX (D NO. 207) WITH ILLUSTRATION OF GIRLS PLAYING BASKETBALL

1911

1911-12 A.T.C. L40 LEATHER COLLEGE PENNANT, YELL, EMBLEM, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (SILVER) (U.S.A.)

The L40 Leather series featured a variety of sports and colleges. There was only one Basketball leather, Columbia University, and it came in two variations, silver and gold. The silver one (pictured here) is much more common than the gold one (not in collection). Measurements: 2.5" x 3.5" 

NOVEMBER 1911 PICTORIAL REVIEW MAGAZINE (BASKETBALL COVER) WITH REEDEMABLE HEAVY STOCK POSTER

The image on the front cover was advertised as a poster (also pictured) for sale in the first page of the magazine and available for 15 cents.

1912

1912-13 HAMILTON KING GIRLS SERIES T7-6, BASKET BALL GIRL #8 (U.S.A.)

The Hamilton King Basket Ball Girl is a large, beautiful and rare card. The card is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This card comes from a series of 4 depicting women in various sports. The actual artist is Hamilton King and the cards were redeemed by mailing in coupons from cigarette packs. The same image can also be found on a silk, a leather and a pillowcase. These items are even rarer as they required more coupons to obtain.
​Measurements: 6" x 8"

1912-13 HAMILTON KING GIRLS SERIES S58 SILK, BASKET BALL GIRL #33 (U.S.A.)

Original Cardboard Backing

The Hamilton King Basket Ball Girl silk is the same image as the trade card except a little larger at 7" x9". The silk required more coupons to obtain than the trade card and is often found with creases as it was typically folded with the cardboard backing with distribution (the silk and cardboard were not attached). This particular silk was the first to be graded and encapsulated by SGC. ​Measurements: 7" x 9"

1912-14 TURKISH TROPHIES COUPON & GIFT SLIP (REDEMPTION DETAILS FOR THE HAMILTON KING BASKET BALL GIRL SERIES CARD, SILK & LEATHER)

The 1 cent gift slip was specifically advertising the Satin designs of the Hamilton King Girls series. 20 gift slips could be exchanged for a satin, including the #33 Basket Ball Girl. The coupon advertised the entire Hamilton King Girls High Art Series, including the #8 Basket Ball Girl Card, #33 Basket Ball Girl Silk and #58 Basket Ball Girl Leather. The amount of coupons needed for redemption, options and sizes are listed on the back of the coupon.

1912 GUEST PASS/ADMISSION TICKET TO ELITCH'S GARDENS IN DENVER, COLORADO FEATURING A PHOTOGRAPH OF WOMEN PLAYING BASKETBALL

This pass was given to Dorothy Root by Frances Wolcott Cloud of the Wolcott School. The Wolcott school was a finishing school to educate Denver's society young ladies and was active from 1898 until 1924. The students were from notable families including Buffalo Bill's granddaughter Clara, Antoinette Perry, Helen Bonfils (later owner of The Denver Post) and Mamie Down (later to be the First Lady to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

1912 ADVERTISING CALENDAR TRADE CARD FOR MORGAN SASH & DOOR COMPANY OF CHICAGO (U.S.A.)

This card advertises Morgan Hardwood Doors of Chicago on the front and back. I have seen a variation advertising a different company, also from 1912, that was a postcard with the postal back in lieu of an entire advertisement. The photo is marked 387, Rochester Photo Press, Rochester, N.Y.

1914

1914 HAMILTON KING BASKETBALL GIRL ILLUSTRATION BLOTTER, POSTCARD & GREETING CARD

1915

CIRCA 1910-1915 YWCA & YMCA POSTER "CINDERELLA" STAMPS (U.S.A.)

Cinderella (Poster) stamps were produced and distributed to promote products & services (in this case the Y.W.C.A. and the Y.M.C.A.) and were not issued to be used for postage fees.

CIRCA 1918 YWCA WW1 WAR BOND "CINDERELLA" POSTER STAMPS STRIP WITH CENTER STAMP FEATURING BASKETBALL (U.S.A.)

Although this strip of images is unperforated, an inquiry with poster stamp collectors and sellers has confirmed that these are indeed poster stamps, determined by the print quality, method of printing and how a stamp like this would be produced. These images were also featured on large posters that promoted the YWCA's "Girl Reserves". Amid the era’s patriotic fervor, the Girl Reserves sought to share popular educational, vocational, and recreational activities—like basketball — with young women and girls. The “reserve” was open to girls ages 12–18 who wanted to participate in the war effort, whether through food conservation. war bond sales, and, yes, basketball. Measurements of stamp strip: 4.5" x 2"

CIRCA 1910-1920 WICHITA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS POSTER "CINDERELLA" BASKETBALL STAMP (U.S.A.)

This poster stamp was published by McCormick Armstrong Press of Wichita and featured a Basketball player at Wichita High School. The school had great success in early basketball, winning the state title in 1915 and the national title in 1925. The school changed it's name to Wichita East in 1929.

CIRCA 1910s M. DENKERT & COMPANY BASKET BALL BOX (V105 DEFLATED BASKETBALL)

CIRCA 1915 WOOD ENGRAVED STORAGE BOX (MAKER UNKNOWN)

CIRCA 1915 REACH BASKETBALL ADVERTISEMENT LANTERN SLIDE BY MANHATTAN SLIDE & FILM CO. INC.

The lantern slides produced by Manhattan Slide & Film Co were used to advertise products and retailers on the big screen in between movies and intermissions at local theaters. 

1910-19 VARIOUS POSTCARDS WITH BASKETBALL THEMES

Postcards are grouped together because years are estimated with those without dates or postmarks.

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1915-16 A.J. REACH COMPANY OFFICIAL BASKET BALL GUIDE - RULES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

1915-19 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY - HOW TO PLAY BASKET BALL & BASKET BALL GUIDES

1915 LUTHER GULICK SIGNED CAMP FIRE GIRLS LETTER & ENVELOPE

Signed letter on Camp Fire Girls Stationary w/ original envelope – There are very few examples of Luther Gulick’s signature in existence. This letter is similar to the one sold at Heritage Auctions (Lot #82425) in 2013 (same letterhead, signature, etc). Like the previous auction notes, authenticators have ruled this signature inconclusive due to lack of exemplars. This letter was obtained by a seller of vintage ephemera in New England. The letter seems to be in response to a poem or story the recipient submitted to the Camp Fire girls. I assume the recipient was close with Luther as he addresses her with the nickname, "Migwan". The recipient, Dorothy Aiken (Johnson) was the granddaughter of the Aiken family of inventors who also built the clog railroad on Mt. Washington.

About Luther Gulick: Luther Halsey Gulick was the catalyst for the invention of basketball. Gulick was founding superintendent of the physical education department of the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1887-1900. He designed a triangle logo—Spirit, Mind, & Body—representing the YMCA philosophy.

Gulick persuaded a young instructor named James Naismith, a teacher at the school, to create an indoor game that could be played during the off-season. In response, Naismith invented and popularized basketball. Gulick worked with Naismith to spread the sport, chairing the Basketball Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union (1895–1905) and representing the United States Olympic Committee during the 1908 Olympic Games. For his efforts to increase the popularity of basketball and of physical fitness in general, Gulick was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1959.
​
Gulick also founded the Camp Fire Girls organization in 1910 and co-founded the Playground Association of America, now known as the National Recreation and Parks Association. Gulick's contributions to the creation of the modern Olympic Games and the establishment of the Camp Fire Girls and the Boy Scouts of America highlight his enduring legacy in promoting health, fitness, and character development among youth.

1918

1918 PRESS PHOTO OF BRITISH SOLDIERS PLAYING NETBALL AT THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORP IN FRANCE (WORLD WAR I)