Baltimore’s unbridled love for its Major League franchise is not without precedent. For more than three decades before the current Birds took flight, the International League Baltimore Orioles were hometown heroes in venues on Greenmount Ave. and on 33rd Street. This vintage “Original O’s” memorabilia lot includes: (19) Programs: 1935-1953 stadium-issued publications; Correspondence: a 1945 letter, handwritten by Orioles skipper Tommy Thomas on Orioles letterhead with amazing baseball content! More on our website.

(19) 1940s-1950s Baltimore Orioles International League Programs: issued at Oriole Park or Memorial Stadium, these minor league guides average (VG-EX) quality and include:

1935: Buffalo Bisons vs. Baltimore Orioles; thick stock fold-out scorecard (with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids) issued at Oriole Park (trimmed)

1936: Albany Senators vs. Baltimore Orioles; thick stock fold-out scorecard (with typewritten starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids) issued at Oriole Park

1938: Rochester Red Wings vs. Baltimore Orioles; thick stock fold-out scorecard (with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids) issued at Oriole Park (minimally EX-MT condition)

1944: Newark Bears vs. Baltimore Orioles; 20-page program with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Oriole Park during that venue’s final season, as it burned to the ground on July 3 of that year.

(4) 1946: 72-page programs with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Municipal Stadium (which was eventually to be re-named “Memorial Stadium”); opponents include Buffalo Bisons, Jersey City Giants, Newark Bears and Toronto Maple Leafs.

(5) 1947: 72-page programs with pre-printed starting lineups and scoring grids marked in pencil, issued at Municipal Stadium (which was eventually to be re-named “Memorial Stadium”); opponents include: Buffalo Bisons (unmarked scoring grids) (2) Newark Bears and (2) Toronto Maple Leafs (one with unmarked scoring grids)

1948: Montreal Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles; 36-page program with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Municipal Stadium (which was eventually to be re-named “Memorial Stadium”); presents minimally (EX-MT)

1949: Jersey City Giants vs. Baltimore Orioles; 12-page program with pre-printed starting lineups (with penciled notations) and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Babe Ruth Stadium (which was temporarily named in tribute to the deceased Baltimore native and eventually re-named “Memorial Stadium”).

(2) 1950: 12-page programs with pre-printed starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Memorial Stadium; opponents include Columbus Red Birds (American Association) and Springfield Cubs.

1952: Springfield Cubs vs. Baltimore Orioles; 12-page program with unmarked scoring grids, issued at Memorial Stadium.

1953: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Baltimore Orioles; 12-page program with penciled starting lineups and unmarked scoring grids, issued at Memorial Stadium during the Orioles’ final season as a minor league team.

Tommy Thomas 1945 Handwritten Letter: composed in black ink on (3) crisp 8-1/2 x 11” sheets of Baltimore Orioles stationery, the letter is dated “Jan. 20, 1945” and written entirely in the hand of Orioles manager Tommy Thomas. The Baltimore native and City College product wrote (in full):

”Dear Felix (Mackiewicz):
Sorry to learn that your father passed away. I learned of his death from Pat Riley. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Talked to Peckinpaugh and Boudreau during the meeting and they figure on you being the regular centerfielder
Expect (Johnny) Podgajny in to see me this afternoon and Riley is planning on being here in February. (John) West has been inducted into the Navy.
Saw (illegible name) several weeks ago and he thinks he has a chance of being discharged because of sinus trouble. Looks like I might have to pitch myself.
In spite of anything you may read in the papers I believe baseball will be able to operate this season.
Again is closing let me tell you how sorry I was to hear of your great loss.
With kindest personal regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
(signed) Tommy”

Also included are several 1940s-1950s newspaper clippings documenting Orioles minutiae.