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Collector’s new book may solve hobby mystery
Collectors with passion, dedication, and perseverance can sometimes solve hobby mysteries. One of those mysteries—whether the original iconic Leaf baseball set should really be a 1949 Leaf set rather than a 1948 Leaf or 1948-49 Leaf—might finally be solved.
The savior's name in this case is Brian Kappel, who's written a book called “Re: Leaf,” which details the lengths he went to to discover some of the unknowns about the classic Leaf brand.
Hailing from Trumansburg, N.Y., not far from me here in Syracuse, Kappel grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s collecting what kids did during that time. When older, with more disposable income and increased knowledge, he started to collect vintage cards.
The Leaf set intrigued him because 1948 and 1949 are his parents' birth years. Kappel doesn't do anything halfway. He went down many rabbit holes, gathering as much accurate information as possible while working on his book.
The book also became a family affair as he enlisted the help of his father, a professional researcher, and picked the brain of his now late Uncle Lester, who was involved in printing processes during the same time that Leaf cards were produced. His sister made sure his facts were on point and gave advice behind the scenes.
The research included a trip to Chicago and the Chicago History Museum, asking questions on numerous message boards, conversations with hobby historians, and even connecting with Chicago-based Facebook communities.
The result is a concise, easy-to-read, 121-page book that includes great illustrations and examples. He’s even lobbied PSA to try to get some of the variations and varieties of the original Leaf Baseball set noted on their grading slabs, but so far, it's to no avail, but he's persistent.
It's a great read for collectors who love vintage cards or hobby history. I think you will agree that one of the hobby’s greatest mysteries may finally have been solved.
— John Newman is a collector, dealer, and the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast. Catch his Hobby Quick Hits on Monday and his guest interviews on Friday on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach him at sportscardnationpc@gmail.com or on Twitter at @sportscardnati1
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John Newman is the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast
