 |
Vintage
Richard Russell baseball cards
to go on exhibit at library at UGA
By Jean Cleveland
UGA LIbrary, Athens
Special to GwinnettForum.com
JUNE 4, 2002 -- The Richard B. Russell Library at the University of
Georgia is presenting a major exhibition to highlight one of its most
popular collections, Sen. Russell's baseball card collection. It is
one of the largest private collections of turn-of-the-century baseball
cards held by a public institution in the United States.
"Legends of the Deadball Era: Vintage Baseball Cards from
the Richard B. Russell Collection" will focus on the specific
character of the game of baseball during this time period (1900-1919),
known as the dead-ball era.
In June, two special events are scheduled in tribute to America's
pastime. Both will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Russell Library Auditorium.
- On June 11, a lecture, "Remembering Georgia Baseball: A
Twilight Double-Header Featuring Dan Magill and Terry Kay,"
is scheduled.
Magill, long associated with UGA athletics, will discuss early
baseball at UGA. Author Kay will talk about his experiences
with baseball and writing his novel, "Taking Lottie Home."
- On June 20, Tim Darnell will discuss his book, "The Crackers:
Early Days of Baseball in Atlanta," published in April by
Hill Street Press. Darnell's book is the first history of six
decades of the Crackers-----the team that defined baseball in
the South.
Throughout the summer and fall baseball-related film screenings
and other lectures will be held.
Albert Kilchesty, curator of the exhibit, says: "The tobacco
cards in the Russell collection offer a rare, private glimpse into
the youthful passions of a very public figure. We are pleased to
offer the public an opportunity to enjoy these delightful objects."
The Russell collection contains more than 1,000 baseball cards
produced by the American Tobacco Company. The majority of cards
come from the T-206 "White Border" series, and contains
some of the most prized cards in the collecting world. Some of the
rarest T-206 cards are included in the Russell collection, including
an extremely scarce misprint of a Joe Doyle card, one of less than
six known to exist. Also included is an equally uncommon Ty Cobb
card.
The exhibit will be available through Nov. 22. The Russell Library
will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., in addition
to regular hours, for the exhibit. Also featured in the exhibit
is an exploration of baseball's connections to American culture
and imagination.
Kilchesty says: "Baseball during the dead-ball era was far
more of a team game than it was to become during subsequent periods
where a single blow by one player could determine the outcome of
the game. With its emphasis on teamwork, self-sacrifice, and shrewdness,
the dead-ball game would have constituted an ethical world in miniature
for the pre-adolescent Russell, one from which he would learn many
lessons applicable to later political life."
Richard Russell Jr., from Winder, served in public office for more
than 50 years, including 38 years in the U.S. Senate, becoming one
of the most influential people in 20th century American politics.
The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
is dedicated to the support of scholarly research in modern political
history with the collections of more than 100 public officials,
influential citizens and political and public policy organizations.
The baseball card collection is available for research at the Russell
Library and a selection of the cards will be featured on the library
webpage (www.libs.uga.edu/russell). A media kit including scanned
images is also available via the Web site.
Click
here to read other community commentaries...
|
|
