Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Sertoma Stars...another odd little set


Here's another obscure little group of cards that I have pulled out of storage recently.  The 'Sertoma Stars' set is one of two related sets that were apparently issued in conjunction with card shows in the Indianapolis area in 1977 and possibly 1978.  This sepia toned set consists of 24 players active in '77 or who had some sort of connection to Indy. Possibly some were show guests but that's just speculation on my part. The checklist is below. There were also a few variations including blank backs, etc.

I have the five Orioles that appear in the set. The reverse of these contain player name and the Sertoma logo.  Each card also has an ad or business card that occupies the lower half of the reverse. The pictures used have been seen in many other places previously. They are used on Dexter Press postcards for example. And I saw references to the set with a 1978 date.

BTW... Sertoma is an organization based in Kansas City the works to provide hearing impaired children with hearing aids and other equipment that they might not otherwise be able to afford. The organization has clubs nationwide and is still active.









1977 (1978?) Sertoma stars checklist:
  • HANK AARON
  • BOB ALLISON
  • CLETE BOYER
  • DON BUFORD
  • ROD CAREW
  • RICO CARTY
  • ROBERTO CLEMENTE
  • JIM RAY HART
  • DAVE JOHNSON
  • HARMON KILLEBREW
  • MICKEY MANTLE
  • JUAN MARICHAL
  • BILL MAZEROSKI
  • JOE MORGAN
  • PHIL NIEKRO
  • TONY OLIVA
  • GAYLORD PERRY
  • BOOG POWELL
  • BROOKS ROBINSON
  • FRANK ROBINSON
  • JOHN ROSEBORO
  • RUSTY STAUB
  • JOE TORRE
  • JIM WYNN
In researching this set I came across a related issue that is called Sertoma Stars "Puzzle backs" set. AKA 'Sertoma Stars Round Picture Set'. An old SCD catalog provided this info:
"This Collectors set was issued in conjunction with the Indianapolis Sports Collectors Convention in 1977. The set was sold for $3.00 with proceeds benefiting the local Sertoma Club's charity work." 
There are players from many different eras in this 25 card set, almost 1/2 the set has players from 1910-1930s. Most of the players seem to have some ties to Indiana whether they were born there, played there or maybe just passed through. I can't find a direct Satchel Paige-Indiana link for example although I'm sure his many baseball travels took him through the state many times. Same goes for Willie Mays. I can't find a connection although I'm sure he flew over Indiana air space from time to time. Those guys, like Babe Ruth are probably in the set because they simply are Paige, Mays and Ruth.

Others, like Bernie Allen, Don Buford and Chico Ruiz played for Indianapolis as minor leaguers or are natives of the state. Harmon Killebrew is a star who was born in Indiana so he was a lock for this set!


The backs make up a puzzle of a team picture.





1977 Sertoma Stars "Puzzle backs"
  • Bernie Allen
  • Bob Logan
  • Buck Weaver
  • Chico Ruiz
  • Dick Kenworthy
  • Dom Dallessandro
  • Don Buford
  • Early Wynn
  • Edd Roush
  • George Sisler
  • Harmon Killebrew
  • Home Run Baker
  • Len Johnston
  • Lou Gehrig
  • Satchell Paige
  • Ted Beard
  • Willie Mays


8 comments:

  1. Looking at these the other day on Kit Youngs site. No Redsox. Might pick one up anyway just to gave one in the collection

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  2. I've got one card, William Robert Allison. Does it have any value?

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  3. I've got one card, William Robert Allison. Does it have any value?

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    Replies
    1. It's likely in the $4-$6 range price wise. You can get an idea on eBay:

      Sertoma Stars on eBay

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  4. I recently pick up a couple Frank Robinson SGC 10 an Arron in a 9. I'm trying to find the value an poplution
    Thanks
    Kris

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    1. Kris...you can find graded copies by clicking the link in my rely just above this. I saw Aaron and Frank R graded cards on there. The PSA population reports are here:
      PSA/Setroma Stars
      You'll need to scroll down a bit to them. hope this helps.

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  5. I got an autographed Mickey Mantle card from the 77 Sertoma Stars set. Have been looking online and have never seen this card with an actual autograph. I wonder how many of them signed are out there.

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    Replies
    1. I can't imagine very many. It's a pretty obscure set to begin with and signed ones have to be almost impossible to find.

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