For years, one item has eluded my hobby library: the 1955 Rodeo Meats Album. The album was advertised on the back of every card in the set, available for 25 cents + a label from any Rodeo meat product.
In their article about the 1955 Rodeo Meats Kansas City Athletics set, PSA wrote:
Dubbeld says the album was likely printed in June 1955 because it only includes spots for the 28 men featured in the second printing. The album includes one page for the manager’s card, one for the coaches’ cards and eight for the players’ cards. A schedule, dimensions of the other American League ballparks and write-ups on all of the players and coaches are also part of the album. It’s interesting to note that write-ups are also included on pitching coach Burleigh Grimes and first baseman Dick Kryhoski even though cards were not produced of them.
The album itself is rare and will likely command several hundred dollars. Dubbeld recently purchased an album that included the cards.This album was the first that Dubbeld had seen in his more than 10 years of collecting this issue.
Based on the photos from the following sales (and Rusty Willy’s Lou Boudreau page), in the first line, when Dubbeld is referring to “sports for the 28 men,” I think he’s referring to bios, because I count thirty, including Grimes and Kryhoski, who don’t have cards, but I see squares for more than 28 cards.
In April 2011, Heritage sold an album with 28 cards and a few autographs for $8,365. It was owned by the team’s trainer!
In the fall of 2018, REA sold a master set of cards, plus the album (scrapbook) for $5,700. They described the album by saying it “…contains images of items from the Rodeo Meats product line, spaces to mount the cards, biographies and career highlights of the players, coaches, and manager, and team schedule/American League information.”
In May of 2019, Heritage sold a copy from The Enos Slaughter Collection for $7,200.
Then, a few years ago, I think it was either Fritsch or Kit Young, who had an empty album on eBay for under $500. I hesitated, asking for a few photos of the interior before committing. By the time I returned to hit “Buy It Now,” the listing was sold. The lesson here is simple: when you see something you want, and it isn’t overpriced, don’t hesitate, just grab it.
The 1955 Rodeo Meats Album remains my hobby library white whale, a reminder that in collecting, patience, timing, and decisiveness are all part of the chase. And if you have one for sale, I’m a buyer!
Happy collecting!
P.S. In August 2024, I shared James Cumption’s 1955 Rodeo Meats Super Collection, which also included an album.
P.P.S. Once I own one, I’ll scan the entire thing and put it up on my Hobby Resources page.
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