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BASKETBALL CARDS, EPHEMERA & MEMORABILIA
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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.
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 SERIES 5 & 6 DOLLS WITH BALL OUTFITS (U.S.A.)
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These are classified as Z-Cards in the American Card Catalog. Specifically, they are a Z-9 issue as they are a coffee and food insert. The 5 series is debated amongst collectors if the ball is truly a basketball, so it isn’t definitive. If it is, it may be the oldest basketball collectible known to exist. The 6 series is also a ball, although what type remains unknown. A McLaughlin guide produced in 2012 claims that Series 5 is indeed a basketball, but I'm not certain if they just classified it as such due to collector speculation.
The back flap of the Series 5 is missing from my example. Measurements: Figures approx. 5" tall, outfits approx. 3" tall
The back flap of the Series 5 is missing from my example. 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
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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.)
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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
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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
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.)
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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. Measurements: 4" x 6"
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. Measurements: 4" x 6"
JANUARY 3rd, 1903 TIP TOP WEEKLY #351
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MARCH 14th, 1903 TIP TOP WEEKLY #361 BASKETBALL COVER & STORY
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1904
1904-05 BAINES SHIELD SCHOOL GIRLS E.S.B. OPEN COLLAR & NET BALL E.S.B. CLOSED COLLAR (U.K.)
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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.
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CIRCA 1905 PENCIL BOX CASE (MAKER UNKNOWN)
DICK MERRIWELL'S FIVE BY BURT L. STANDISH, THE MERRIWELL SERIES NO.130, 1905
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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)
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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"
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 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.
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
NOTE: Please refer to the 1910-1919 section for the T51 Murad cards. Although some were released in 1909, the majority were released in 1910.