Collecting Wire Photos

[RJB44]

Just curious to see why there is such an interest in wire photos. Although I don't collect them, I have come across many of them on various sites and see that they tend to commend a pretty decent price. Some auction sites have them starting at 100.00. I'm not sure if these are actual photos, or just reprints. I did buy one so called "wire" photo on ebay a few years back (Billy Martin's first Day with Oakland A's - Spring 1980). It was actually a reprint, but I didn't pay that much for it. Auction sites seem to have many of them, so I guess they interest is there. Thanks for your feedback.

RJB

[JimCaravello]

Hi RJB - I have collected wire photos for years. I am no expert in this area, but quality - first generation photos with newspaper / press stamps / verbage sheets on the reverse that are in good condition ( EX or better ) always bring good money. Older photos of stars and HOFers bring top dollar as you might expect. It is not uncommon to see NM/MT examples of stars like Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, etc. ( in uniform ) that are at least 7" x 9" in size bring well over $100 and in some instances, if the photo is from a special event - it can bring in excess of $1,000.

I have sold Mantle vintage action wire photos from the 50's and 60's in excess of $300 and I sold a couple that were spectacular for around $500. I have had two original Maris wire photos where he hit #61 and I sold both of those for over $300. There definitely is a market for them. At one time I had hundreds of them, but have whittled down the collection quite a bit.

I had a very nice collection of 1927 Yankees members as well as 3x5's and cut signatures of Ruth, Gehrig, Pennock, etc. I sold all of that stuff to fund a game used bat at one time and the wire photos brought very good money. Wire photos of 1927 Yankees ( in Yankees uniform ) are always in high demand......an example would be Lazzeri - a nice photo of him in a Yankees uniform might bring $100 or more - but one of him in a Cubs uniform might only bring $35 - $60.

I have noticed over the years that wire photos of players in uniform are in much higher demand than photos of players in street clothes.

Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. As mentioned, I am no expert in this arena, but I have been collecting for years and love the B&W medium.......Jim

[both-teams-played-hard]