Lot # 37: 1949 Uncatalogued Nini Tornay S.F. Seals Japan Tour Large Color Bromide Rookie Card--Rare

Category: Baseball Cards

Starting Bid: $50.00

Bids: 0 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Auction 58 Ended 8/29/2020",
which ran from 8/10/2020 8:00 PM to
8/29/2020 11:00 PM



This is only the second time in our 32 years of buying, selling and auctioning Japanese baseball cards that we have encountered this card. And this example is in far better condition than the previously auctioned card. Anthony "Nini" Tornay was a San Francisco native who spent nine seasons as a catcher for his hometown team, the San Francisco Seals. At the time of the 1949 Seals Tour of Japan, Tornay was a 19-year-old who had caught only four games for the Seals. He did not become their regular catcher until 1951. He did not appear in any games on the Tour, and it is unknown as to whether he even accompanied the team to Japan. What is known is that he had a great love of opera, and his roommates on roadtrips were often treated in hotel rooms to various operatic performances from his vast record collection, as Tornay always brought his record player with him on the road. The card was originally a second prize winner card from an unknown display sheet. We assume that this is Tornay's worldwide rookie card.

Size: 3 1/2" x 5 1/4"

Condition: Vg/Ex

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