High on The Hobby Library want list is a 1945-46 Caramelo Deportivo Cuban League original album, ideally with a complete set inside; this one, from Mastro in June 2006, came with a near set (98/100).
The scan pictured above is from Mastro’s June 2006 Classic Collector Auction, and the catalog didn’t include a description of the catalog. However, a few other auction houses have offered these albums.
But first, if you’re interested in learning more about the set, Pre-War Cards, and Cardhound Vintage have nice summaries. Now, Hake’s Auctions offered an album with a complete set of 100 cards in their March 2013 auction; it sold for $805. Here’s the item description, followed by a few of the photos they included online:
8.25×10.75″ album w/thin cardboard cover has 16 pages and contains complete set of 100 cards all mounted at appropriate spots. Issued by Caramelo Deportivo (Sporting Caramels) this set covers the 1945-46 Cuban Winter League season and features teams: Habana, Almendares, Marianao and Cienfuegos. These teams are represented by pennants on the cover art and color pennant cards inside. The other cards have bw photos. Cards are 1-7/8×2-5/8″. Page text includes info on the players, teams, etc. Inside back cover has season results filled in by original owner as intended. This set features many former and future stars of the Major Leagues as well as the Negro Leagues, in some cases providing the only cards issued contemporary with their playing careers. The top card in the set is Martin Dihigo. The other key cards are Ray Dandridge, Raymond Brown, Minnie Minoso and Napoleon Reyes (which was a short print incentive card and therefore scarce). Other stars include Armando Marsans, Lazaro Salazar, Manuel “Cocaina” Garcia, Adolfo Luque, Luis Tiant Sr., Dick Sisler. Cards have general wear/aging as mounted but images for the most part remain bold and distinct throughout. Visually some cards are just VG but most exceed this and are more in the Exc. visual realm, including most the keys. Cover is well worn and split along spine edge w/tape repairs. Trace of staple rust. Pages also worn/aged. Small 1×1/5″ piece missing from top edge of back cover and last page but not affecting any cards. Album itself only about Good. Please contact us if more detailed card condition information and/or photos are desired. From the Richard Merkin Collection and comes with Hake’s COA.
A few years earlier, in June 2009, Lelands sold this album with 91 cards pasted in for just under $400.
If you’ve got an album for sale, reach out; I’m a buyer. Happy collecting!
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