This post has been edited and republished after finding some new information. Thanks, NPBCardGuy, for inspiring some additional research.
From 2007 to 2010, Kellogg's cereal in Japan could be found with cards highlighting some of the best active MLB stars. I eventually decided to collect the entire set run of these cards, and that task was completed a couple years ago.
(Edited) The cards were included inside the boxes, one per box. There were chances to win prizes as well. At least, for 2008 and 2010. I haven't been able to confirm 2007 yet.
They were packaged inside little cellophane wrappers, one card per pack. None of the packs I've seen had any kind of marking on them, and probably just served to protect the cards in their display, or allow them to be attached to the cereal if the retailers so desired.
The 2007 set was produced by Upper Deck, had 10 cards, and had this design:
Moving on to the 2008 set, which was again produced by Upper Deck, and again totalling 10 cards:
Let's skip 2009 for a minute.
In 2010, Topps took over; this final set only had six cards:
Why did Topps issue the 2010 set? If you remember, Upper Deck lost its MLB license after the 2009 season, so Topps took over both the Kellogg's set and the Hideki Matsui Home Run Chronicles set.
What happened in 2009? I'm not sure. Over the past eight years, I've never come across a 2009 Kellogg's card. Searching Google yields no images. Other years pop up in Yahoo Japan Auctions, but no 2009. But I did discover something recently that might be the answer:
If you're interested in checklists for the Kellogg's sets, I put them in this 2015 post (opens in new window). The checklists on that page include the 2009 set.
And now that I know what I'm looking for, I can start searching for the cereal box and/or rulers.
Deanna Rubin had a post about coming across the 2008 cards in the grocery store when she was living in Japan. Looks like that particular year at least they put the cards inside the boxes.
ReplyDeleteHm, I wonder if they put them in the box but outside an inner bag. I don’t remember where I saw that they were outside the box/bag. But then again, for several years I’ve been searching for a set that seemingly didn’t exist.
DeleteRyan, I'll will take any )2007-2010) of these that you can get to me if you can find some more. LMK.
ReplyDeleteI have some. But I can't handle any sales/trades right now... when I have time at home I'll dig them out. Any interest in the rulers, too? Do you want duplicates, or just one of each? And how much are you willing to pay each if I pick up more from auctions? (Send me an email...)
DeleteKellogg's lenticular rulers? Very cool. Maybe they'll consider bringing back lenticular cards at some point.
ReplyDeleteAs awesome as they were in the 1980s, they are basically a novelty. I prefer a good hologram or 3D card... or card in a can?
DeleteAwesome research! The rulers must be tough to find as well as well as the cards especially if you have to cut them from the box.
ReplyDeleteAfter the added research last night, I have come across several rulers, and even found a full set that should be in my hands by the end of the week. Other than the image above, though, I can't find any cards or boxes. That'll be a new mission this year!
DeleteThat is really interesting about the 2009 ones, good work in tracking that info down.
ReplyDeleteI collected the 2010 set when it came out, the cards were inserted into the bags of cereal that year so you couldn't see which one you'd get. I know they came in Frosted Flakes (because that is what I eat) but I think they might have also put them into one or two other types of cereal (though my memory is fuzzy on that).
Thanks for the input. Between you and Deanna I'm guessing they were always put in the bags or boxes. I really do need to find one of those 2009 boxes!
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