Earlier this year, I came across a couple auctions for loose packs from the 1970s. They're baseball cards, though they aren't Calbee.
Actually, they're quite large - a bit smaller than A4 paper size. And thicker than normal cardboard. This is the box; my box wasn't full but had several packs waiting inside.
The text on the top says "Pro Baseball DX Card" while the bold text below the baseball diamond talks about there being a deluxe album. The smaller text contains copyrights for the 11 teams found inside (Giants, Whales, Swallows, Carp, Tigers, Dragons, Orions, Hawks, Lions, Buffaloes, and Fighters). One pack, with one card, was 50 yen (not cheap in the 1970s), with 20 per box.
For those of you with Engel's guide, this is JY 1a. At first I thought it was JY 3, but a quick look at the Lions logo shows that it's 1a. JY 1a card packs have Taiheiyo Lions logos, while on the JY 3 packs, the logo is Crown Lighter Lions. Additionally, there are the 11 copyright lines on the box, where the JY 3 box has 12 team copyrights.
Here's the inside. The packs are aqua blue with team logos on the front, and a sample card glued to the inside of the box lid. This is the "Fighters vs. Buffaloes" action card, and looks pretty cool given printing quality of the time. Based on my guide, the best card is the one that includes Dave Johnson; Sadaharu Oh does not make an appearance in the set. Cards are blank backed.
Each box apparently came with two albums. I've shown the front and back of the one I got in my box. Additionally, there was a premium folder with two commemorative postcards for Oh's 700th home run and Harimoto's 2500th hit. But there was no premium in my box. Some of the cards in the packs could be "winner" versions which would award lucky fans with an album or the postcards.
There are 10 packs in my box. I don't know what to do with them right now. I don't have a type card for my collection yet. And the approximately 33% chance of pulling the best card in the set is pretty enticing. But I could probably find a type card if I looked in the right places. What do you think?
Ryan, I may have that Snider DK puzzle piece you need. What are the numbers? (I think they should be 55, 56, 57) Also, is there anyone you are working a trade with here in the States, I could send it there way and they could include it in your cards. email me
ReplyDeleteJohn, honestly, I don't know the numbers. The puzzle itself is in Georgia, and I'm in Japan; I bought a lot of the puzzles in an auction on eBay knowing that the Snider puzzle was missing that corner. As long as it's the bottom-left corner (when looking at the front) it's the right one.
DeleteIf you want to PWE it to my folks in the US that's great, because my mom just photographs everything she gets for me. I don't have your email though, and I can't find it through Google anymore (stupid system!). Just drop me a line Gmail is rgluesing).
Ironically I have the premium folder for this set but no regular cards from it. I say you open it and sell/trade me any doubles :-)
ReplyDeleteI might go ahead and open them. It's not like they're super-rare. And it could be fun - like I said, I only need one card for my type collection.
DeleteDo you have Gary's 7th Edition or Vintage Edition guide? I have his 7th and am wondering if the Vintage has more expanded content. It's useful to cross-reference some sumo sets occasionally. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have both versions. The Vintage guide has more listings and several corrections, though the header text for each set is mostly the same unless there were additions/corrections. I usually refer to the Vintage guide now because it is updated.
DeleteI forgot to mention that as far as modern sumo card sets go, one of the rotations of SCM (Sports Collector Magazine) includes sumo sets. NPB Card Guy did a breakdown of SCM issues and the rotation of checklists/pricing they provide. They're basically modern sets, but having at least one issue is a good source for sumo cards issued in the past 20-30 years.
DeleteRegardless of what you decide on doing... this is one sweet purchase! Happy new year to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fuji! Happy New Year to you and yours too!
Delete