In the world of sports memorabilia collecting, a surprising discovery has emerged, bringing a welcome glow to the captivating history of early baseball cards. A magnificent find has been made in an unlikely place—an old Band-Aid box. Tucked away inside were 39 cards from the elusive 1921 Herpolsheimer set, including nine cards that were previously unknown to collectors. This exceptional collection, hidden for almost a century, has now been unveiled in Love of the Game Auctions’ ongoing event.
The Herpolsheimer cards, issued in 1921, have long been considered some of the rarest in the baseball card collecting world. Until now, only 105 cards from this set were authenticated and graded, according to PSA and SGC population reports. This recent discovery not only expands the known universe of these cards but also introduces new faces to the mix.
Al Crisafulli, the auction director at Love of the Game, could hardly contain his excitement. “I’ve been captivated by these for years,” he shared. This sentiment is shared among serious collectors who understand the rarity and historical value of the Herpolsheimer cards.
The story behind this find is as fascinating as the cards themselves. In 2019, at an estate sale near Grand Rapids, Michigan, these cards were discovered inside a Band-Aid box—a simple container concealing a small fortune in paper treasures. After maintaining contact with the card owner for four years, Crisafulli finally secured these gems for auction. They have since been graded by PSA, and each card will be auctioned off individually.
One of the highlights of this collection is a rare Babe Ruth card, only the second of its kind known to exist. Given the scarcity and the iconic status of the Great Bambino, this card alone is expected to fetch a high price at auction. Other Hall of Famers such as Tris Speaker, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Rabbit Maranville, John McGraw, Red Faber, and Sam Rice also grace this newfound collection, adding to its significance.
The backs of these cards are as intriguing as their fronts, featuring advertisements for the Grand Rapids retail store’s Boy’s Fashion Shop. The discovery of additional cards not listed in the original checklist, including Dave Bancroft, Johnny Evers, Harry Hooper, Stuffy McInnis, Art Nehf, Wally Schang, George Sisler, Casey Stengel, and Fred Toney, suggests that the set may be larger than previously believed. It is now speculated that the complete set may comprise 78 or 79 cards instead of the previously assumed 69 or 70.
Crisafulli first became aware of these cards in 2019 when the owner made a discreet inquiry on the Net54 sports card forum. The post sparked the curiosity of forum members and Crisafulli, who reached out and stayed in touch until the auction consignment was secured.
The history of the Herpolsheimer Company, the store behind these cards, is just as fascinating as the cards themselves. Established in 1870 as a dry goods store by William Godlove Herpolsheimer and Charles G.A. Voigt, it would go on to become a significant presence in Grand Rapids and beyond. Henry Herpolsheimer later took over, followed by his son Arthur, who led the company through a merger and expansion into furniture sales. Sadly, Arthur’s life ended prematurely, adding a somber note to the family’s legacy.
The store’s influence even reached national history when Betty Bloomer, who would later become the First Lady as the wife of President Gerald R. Ford, worked at the store as a fashion coordinator in 1942.
The discovery of this second batch of Herpolsheimer cards adds a new chapter to their distribution and significance, suggesting a more widespread release than previously believed. It paints a picture of a department store that cleverly used the allure of baseball’s most celebrated figures to appeal to its customers.
The old Band-Aid box in which these cards were found—a relic of the 1930s—serves as a poignant reminder of the journey these cards have taken, from being a promotional tool in a local store to becoming treasured historical artifacts in the world of collectibles.
As the auction date approaches, these cards are poised to captivate the collecting community, providing a rare glimpse into the early days of baseball card collecting. Each card, with its faint pencil markings and signs of handling, tells a unique story—a story that collectors will soon have the opportunity to continue as they become the new custodians of these pieces of baseball history.
