The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BASEBALL CARDS

AS A BOY IN NEW YORK CITY, I OFTEN GAMBLED PART(S)
OF MY CARD COLLECTION BY MATCHING HEADS AND TAILS
WITH ANOTHER COLLECTOR, BY FLIPPING THE CARDS FROM
ONE'S HAND (AS ONE MIGHT THROW A SOFTBALL UNDER-
HANDEDLY) TO THE GROUND.
"DOUBLES" OR "TRIPLES" ETC. OF THE SAME CARD WERE GOOD
TO USE AS LUCKY CARDS, SO WE BELIEVED. ALSO, WE
BELIEVED THAT WEARING LONG PANTS WHILE DOING THIS
WAS UNLUCKY (PROBABLY BECAUSE THE PANT CUFFS SOMETIMES
CAUGHT ONE'S FLIPPED CARD AND CHANGED OUR PLANNED
SHOWING SIDE).

Where learned: NEW YORK

Date learned: 12-00-1971 ; 00001940-1950