Playoff Season Is Here! Highlights from the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection

«The Major League Baseball playoffs begin tomorrow, and for fans everywhere, there is a lot to be excited about. It's the second season, in a manner of speaking, and the ten teams who made the cut now have their eyes set on championship glory. In just a few weeks the World Series will begin, about the same time as the next exhibition of the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection will go on view here at the Met.»

Schutter-Johnson Candy Corporation, Chicago, IL, Brooklyn, NY. Babe Ruth's Batting Tips, No. 42, baseball issue, 1935. Commercial color lithograph; Sheet: 2 7/8 x 2 1/4 in. (7.3 x 5.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick (Burdick 325, R332.29)

Whenever I visit gallery 773 to see my favorite cards in the Burdick Collection, I first seek out cards featuring players from the New York Yankees, a team I have rooted for my entire life. One of my favorite objects is a 1935 card featuring Babe Ruth's batting secrets, who, eighty-nine years ago tomorrow, socked three home runs to propel the Yankees to a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1926 World Series.

Issued by Bowman Gum Company. Ed "Whitey" Ford, Pitcher, New York Yankees, from Picture Cards, series 5 (R406-5), issued by Bowman Gum, 1951. Commercial color lithograph; Sheet: 3 1/8 x 2 1/16 in. (7.9 x 5.3 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick (Burdick 327, R406-5.1)

While in the gallery, I also like to view the 1951 "Whitey" Ford card. Exactly sixty-five years ago this week, Ford won his first World Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Issued by American Tobacco Company. Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh, National League, from the White Border series (T206) for the American Tobacco Company, 1909–11. Commercial lithograph; Sheet: 2 5/8 x 1 7/16 in. (6.7 x 3.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick (63.350.246.206.378)

Finally, I'll take a long look at the crown jewel of the Met's collection: the T206 Honus Wagner card. The card is matted and framed on its own in the gallery, offering some prominence to arguably the most famous card in the world.

Wondering what else is in the collection for sports fans? Check out this video, part of the recently launched #Metkids digital feature.

Related Links
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection of Printed Ephemera
Now at the Met: "Celebrating the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection" (September 24, 2015)