Edition 46: Deep Cut Baseball Collectibles
And birthday gifts ideas for a pre-teen girl
Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
Have you heard? It’s officially baseball season! This week’s submission is near and dear to my heart because it’s about baseball collectibles — an obsession of my late father, who was a diehard Pittsburgh Pirates fan. A normal activity in our household in the early aughts was flipping through thick, heavy sports auction catalogs looking for treasures. I was lucky to inherit a few things, like an original panoramic stadium photo with vignettes of the players from the 1925 World Series, which we bought together at the auction during the 2006 All-Star Game. Sports collectibles are something that holds my family’s history together, and something that everyone can access in some form — big and small, basic or niche, and in a variety of price points.
From David in Berlin: “Dear Caroline, I enjoy the layer of vintage love in your newsletter. I lived and studied in the US for two separate years and fell in love with baseball. It’s hard to live out this long-distance relationship here in Germany but I am drawn to all things vintage baseball and the way it‘s a thick thread in American culture and society. I am looking for vintage (30s to 90s?) mementos/toys/keepsakes that go beyond team affiliation (my team is the Giants - sad me) and can spark joy in my apartment and everyday life.”
Dear David,
The great thing about baseball being such an old sport is that there are lots of objects associated with it. Baseball cards, bobbleheads, World Series pins, caps, signed balls, salvaged stadium seating…I could go on. I’ve got a couple of small (and shippable) collectables in mind for you that are a little more offbeat than a stack of baseball cards:
Tiny Pennants
These originated as promo items in gum packets back in the 1930s, but I’ve found examples through the 70s. They’re about 2.5 - 3” long, made of felt and come in different color schemes for each team. I love how this Etsy seller arranged them (as above) and would love to see a collection framed like this. Search “MLB mini pennant” and expect to pay anywhere from $5-$20/each depending on age and condition. I was gifted one of these for the Pirates and find it to be the most delightful little piece in my collection.
Fun Foods Player Buttons
For something cheap and cheerful, I’d recommend these buttons with players on them from the 80s. They were made by Fun Foods Inc. for only a few years and were originally sold in surprise boxes of 36. I like them because they’re inexpensive (typically $1 or less per button, more for rare players), have held up well over time and are very visually striking when displayed in multiples. Search “Fun Foods Baseball Buttons” for best results. Stick them into a cork-lined frame so you can easily move them around.
Vintage Programs
If you’re into graphic design, this is the collectible for you! eBay has a treasure trove of vintage game programs that not only have fabulous covers, but are also often filled with funny ads. Graphics-wise, I think this is the area where you’ll find the most inspired, least traditional stuff.
QUICK ANSWER
Jen in Miami: “My son has been invited to a bunch of birthday parties for 12 year old girls. Rather than a gift card, any ideas for cool, cute gifts maybe from more independent brands?”
Preteen girls can be a tough crowd! For a creative and curious kiddo, I’ve got two solid ideas:
Atsuyo et Akiko is a Brooklyn-based brand that sells quirky kids stuff, including a large variety of DIY accessories kits for $30. I know a few 12 year-olds who would delight in digging through all of these tiny treasures and stringing them into their very own jewelry. If you have the budget for it, the Susan Alexandra Bead Box is $65 and even more fun.
Mad Libs is the #1 best analog word game for all ages. Just last month, my friend bought a book at a Cracker Barrel gift shop and kept us entertained for the rest of our road trip, and we’re in our 30s! For kids, they’re a fun grammar exercise that is also guaranteed to produce a few uncontrollable belly laughs. There are dozens and dozens of options for specific themes, but the Sleepover Party one is the best bet for a pre-teen girl, in my opinion. At $5.99, a Mad Libs book can also act as a thoughtful accompaniment to a gift card or something more generic.
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
A while back, a reader asked for help finding a particularly elusive style of vintage butcher stickers like the ones I used to sell in my shop from Feed the Birdies. Well, I am here to report that my friend and client Enon of Dapper Notes has made a version in the same format, with his very own brand mascot! Use them for sealing envelopes, creative gift wrapping or for packaging your own wears. $8 per yard (approx. 22 stickers).
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for a fresh recommendations. xo Caroline