Card Specs: Various Sizes | 38 Cards | Color & Sepia | Classification: Trade | H813

Boston Garter: Portraits of the Deadball Era

Cards from the Boston Garter series (H813) stand as some of the most beautiful and elusive treasures of the pre-war era. Issued by the George Frost Company to promote their men's sock garters, these cards were not your typical tobacco or candy inserts. Instead, they served as high-end promotional pieces with a distribution model that makes them significantly rarer than the standardized sets of the 1910s.

The Three Unique Series: An Immortal Checklist

Unlike many sets that followed a rigid design for years, the Boston Garter series evolved across three distinct releases between 1912 and 1914:

The 1912 Color Set (H813-1): Massive 4" x 8¼" format, these cards featured vibrant color lithographs of players in dugout scenes - famously showing them without pants to highlight the garters they were wearing. Key players: Christy Mathewson, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, Walter Johnson.

1914 Boston Garter "Shoeless" Joe Jackson

1914 Color Set (H813-2): Retained the large 4" x 8¼" dimensions but shifted the design orientation and player imagery. Key players: Joe Jackson, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Home Run Baker, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson

1914 Sepia Set (H813-3): A "small" format release (approx. 3¾" x 6¼") featuring monochromatic tones, often described as black-and-white or sepia depending on the print run. Key players: Christy Mathewson, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie

From Store Windows to Private Vaults: Distribution & Rarity

The rarity of these cards stems from their original purpose as retail display pieces. While the 1912 series allowed collectors to buy eight cards for ten cents, many were simply provided to dealers for window displays. Because they were large-format promotional items rather than protected inserts, surviving examples often face significant condition issues like edge wear and creasing.

Market Value and Legacy

In today’s market, there is no such thing as a "common" Boston Garter. Even lesser-known players command four-figure prices, while legends like Joe Jackson or Ty Cobb regularly reach five and six figures at auction, particularly in the large-format color versions.

1914 Boston Garter Display Sign - Eddie Collins/Hal Chase

21st Century Homage: Helmar Brewing Company "H813-4" Boston Garter Set

In 2012-2013, the Helmar Brewing Company produced a 45-card set, capturing the spirit of the original Boston Garter series. Dozens of stars and Hall of Famers are represented, with both Major Leaguers and Negro Leaguers present, including Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Joe Jackson, Nap Lajoie, Cy Young, Jim Thorpe, Cristobal Torriente, and Oscar Charleston. Despite production being limited to just twenty sets, their value pales in comparison to the originals from the early 1900s.

Examples from the 2012-2013 Helmar Brewing Boston Garter set

1912-1914 Boston Garter REA Auction Sales

1912 Boston Garter Walter Johnson SGC Authentic - $75,000 - 2025 Spring Auction

1914 Boston Garter Joe Jackson - $66,000 - 2016 Fall Auction

1912 Boston Garter Christy Mathewson - $57,000 - 2016 Spring Auction

1912 Boston Garter Frank Chance SGC 2 - $41,475 - 2014 Spring Auction

FOR MORE RECENT AUCTION SALES, SEARCH "BOSTON GARTER" IN THE REA AUCTION ARCHIVE.

We Can Help Sell Your Boston Garter Cards

1912-1914 Boston Garter trade cards and display signs are among the rarest prewar baseball collectibles in The Hobby. When they come to auction, our bidding community will aggressively pounce upon the opportunity to own even examples in poor condition. Reach out today to connect with a specialist if you have items that may be a fit for a future auction, and we'll help you make an informed decision on how to sell.