Baseball | The world’s most complete Jewish baseball card collection

The Jewish Historical Baseball Card Archive, 1867-present

The most significant archive of its kind ever assembled. 

The archive consists of approximately 506 cards representing 191 Jewish baseball players. The cards in the collection vary in size, with most following the standard trading card dimensions of 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. However, there are also smaller cards, such as the 1909-11 T206 cards measuring at 1 7/16 inches by 2 5/8 inches. Additionally, the collection features a selection of oversized trading cards, including two 1911 Turkey Red cards, each measuring 5 3/4 inches by 8 inches.

Sold as a group lot, not subject to return.

This is the most complete Jewish baseball card collection in the world, containing at least one card for every Jewish player who has appeared in a professional baseball game.

Compiled over five decades, this remarkable archive represents every Jewish baseball player of the 191 total as of the 2024 MLB season. Of these, 177 players have confirmed Jewish heritage, while the remaining 14 players' heritage has not been proven.

It features baseball greats like legendary Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg, World Series MVP Larry Sherry, and historic figures like Lipman Pike, baseball’s first great professional Jewish baseball player and National Association home run champion of 1871. The archive includes rare early memorabilia dating back to 1867, altogether spanning the entirety of baseball history and celebrating the unique contributions of Jewish players to America’s favorite pastime.

The crown jewel is an 1867 tintype of Levi Meyerle, star of the Philadelphia Athletics, one of two known tintypes in existence. Meyerle twice led the National Association in batting average and is often regarded as one of the five best baseball players of the nineteenth century. 

Another highlight is the exceptionally rare card of Philip Weintraub who played for the New York Giants in the 1930s. Further treasures include the cards of players like Max Rosenfeld, sourced from a fragile 1946 Cuban series, and Harry Chozen, whose family created a "card that never was" after his brief MLB career. Lastly, included in this collection is an extremely scarce 1915 PM1 Ornate Frame Pin of Benny Kauff.

This collection not only celebrates achievements but also sheds light on the challenges Jewish players faced on and off the field. Many, including Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax, experienced anti-Semitism, with taunts from the stands and prejudice from teammates and opponents. Sandy Koufax made history by choosing not to pitch during the 1965 World Series on Yom Kippur, a decision that underscored the importance of faith and identity in sports, and paved the way for a more inclusive game.

Exhibited in 11 major museums, including the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Skirball Cultural Center, this collection has also toured community centers and synagogues across the United States. 

This collection heralds the proud history of Jewish players in baseball, bringing the compelling stories of each player to life and linking them together through this unique and remarkably comprehensive assemblage.

EXHIBITED:

National Tour:

3/13/14 - 10/26/14 National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia)

4/12/15 - 9/7/15 Maltz Museum (Cleveland)

4/6/16 - 10/30/16 Skirball Museum (Los Angeles)

Pop-Up Exhibition Tour:

9/12/14 - 11/11/14 Temple Oharei Shalom (Boston)

1/5/15 - 2/27/15 Urchmont Temple (N.Y.)

4/17/15 - 5/24/15 New Americans Museum (San Diego)

6/14/15 - 9/17/15 The Jewish Museum (Milwaukee)

9/17/15 - 11/22/15 Temple Israel (Memphis)

12/14/15 - 3/24/16 Historical Society Palm Beach County (Miami)

4/4/16 - 7/7/16 Skirball Museum, Hebrew Union College (Ohio)

9/51/16 - 11/24/16 Detroit Historical Museum (Detroit)

Museum Tour Sponsors:

National Endowment for the Humanities

The Smithsonian Institute

Major League Baseball

Office of the Commissioner, Major League Baseball

Fred Wilpon - Chairman & Owner, New York Mets

Leo Wolfe - Chairmen & Owner, Oakland Athletics

Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York

Macy’s

Mercedes Benz

Porsche, Inc.

Trader Joe’s

Dollar Bank

Enterprise Car Rentals, Inc.

Los Angeles Magazine

Treu-Mart Fund

University Hospital Medical Center

Baseball Heritage Museum

American Jewish Historical Society, New York City

REFERENCES:

Seymour Stoll describes his collection — Greg Bates, “World’s most complete Jewish baseball card collection” in Sports Collectors Digest, 14 May 2020

Comprehensive listing available upon request.