Celebrating My Heritage --- Jews on Cards --- Star Trek

At least four actors from the Star Trek franchise have Jewish roots -- not quite a minyan but a good start.

Leonard Nimoy

William Shatner

Walter Koenig

Brent Spiner

 

An Endless Chain of Cars

 I love this card from the 1933 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Chicago.  

For those of us who are too young to remember Nash's and aren't car guys and gals here's a brief history of the company:

"The Nash Motor Company, founded in 1916, was an American automobile manufacturer known for its innovative designs and features. The company introduced numerous industry-firsts, including heating and ventilation systems and seat belts. Nash cars were renowned for their durability and comfort. In 1954, Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), which eventually became a part of the Chrysler Corporation in 1987."

Does the Nash Tower look familiar?  Carvana claims to have invented the automobile vending machine.  That may be technically true but the world saw the glass tower of moving colorful cars a full 80 years earlier!

The Brooklyn Bridge

 The biggest part of my postcard collection is focused on my hometown, Chicago, IL.  As time has gone by I've branched out to include other cities.   To that end I have about two dozen or so vintage scenes from New York City.  Here's the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

This card dates from somewhere between  1915 and 1930.

If you're a reader interested in history there's a good chance you've read something by the late David McCullough.  

People Who Collect and the People Who Love Them

 I've only opened two packs in the last two years, both Topps flagship 36 card packs.  Both were gifts from my wife.  Those of us who collect, whether it be trading cards or anything else, are fortunate if the people around us are supportive of our hobby.  So here's to the wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends, kids, parents and friends who at least humor us in our collecting endeavors.  

Thanks Sweetie!  I got some good cards in this pack.

And We're Giving You a Tie!

 I'm not a father myself but today is one of those days when I think of my own dear old dad.  This is an oft posted picture of my baseball loving father outside his school in Chicago in the 1930's.

Cubs legend Stan Hack was my dad's favorite player in his youth.  Coincidentally my favorite Cub is also a legendary Cubs 3rd baseman, Ron Santo.

Here are a few never before published photographs of my Dad Marv as a young man about town in Chicago.

Happy Father's Day.

A Century of Progress

 The 1933 Chicago World's Fair, A Century of Progress, opened 90 years ago.  This is a first day postcard, rather than a cover.  There were lots of picture postcards issued commemorating the two year fair.  I have around 80 of them from at least eight sets.  Lord knows how many sets there were.  

This card appropriately has the one cent Fort Dearborn stamp.  Also issued on May 25, 1933 was a violet three cent letter rate stamp depicting the modern Federal Building.

Celebrating My Heritage --- Jews on Cards --- Sandy Koufax

 For years I've had a goal of putting together a collection of cards of famous Jewish people, mostly athletes of course.  While still quite modest in size I do finally have my binder full of Jews.  

Who better to start this series with than "The Left Arm of God", Sandy Koufax.  

Cubs Wisdom

 The Chicago Cubs, after deciding not to extend 2015 Rookie of the Year, 2016 MVP and World Series Champ Kris Bryant traded him to the San Francisco Giants on July 30, 2021.  His replacement was a 29 year old rookie, Patrick Wisdom.  Most Cubs fans were not happy.  

From my vantage point it looked like Bryant was happy in San Francisco but for whatever reasons he did not sign with them after the 2021 season.  Instead he landed in Denver with a Rockies team that was and still is struggling.  I've always been perplexed by his choice.

Back in Chicago "This Old Rookie" has been living the dream.  Yes, he strikes out too much and his average has been poor but look at his production compared to the oft injured multi-millionaire Bryant.

2021-2023

Patrick in 290 games has 67 HR, 155 RBI, 47 doubles, and 149 runs scored.

KB since the trade has only played in 149 games with 17 HR, 55 RBI, 31 doubles, and 77 runs scored.

Add to this the fact that "P-Wizzie" (hate that nickname) is costing the Cubs 1/20 of what Kris Bryant is making and it's hard to argue their decision to part ways. 

I bought this 9 card lot late one night on eBay mostly as a souvenir of the great feel good story that is Patrick Wisdom's success.