In a captivating turn of events for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, an extraordinary discovery has come to light. A collection of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has emerged, astonishing collectors and historians alike. The cards, still encased in their original brown packaging, represent a significant find within the hobby, especially considering their pristine, untouched state. The revelation was made public through a social media post featuring a vintage arcade machine that harkens back to the era when these cards were once distributed.
The news of this extraordinary find circulated through the sports memorabilia industry, reaching the ears of Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional in the field. Mendel was astounded upon learning about the discovery from a contact on the east coast. This contact had connections to the arcade business and had procured the cards from Mike Munves, a renowned distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The confirmation of this sealed collection, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, affirmed its authenticity and historical value.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a prominent Las Vegas-based memorabilia store and auction house, Mendel swiftly arranged for the consignment of these precious artifacts. The unopened bricks, each likely containing multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could potentially fetch thousands of dollars each due to their impeccable, uncirculated condition. Notably, the treasure trove also included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, among them notable baseball legends such as ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, and nine Mickey Mantles. This remarkable discovery adds even more significance and excitement to the find.
The 1963 “stat back” cards are renowned for their career statistics printed in red, making them a rarity in terms of both their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, discovering them in unopened vending packages is extremely rare, and collectors value similar items at a premium.
The collection, comprising both the unopened bricks and the loose cards, is set to be auctioned, generating considerable interest and bidding from collectors around the world. This auction not only presents a unique opportunity for fervent collectors, but it also celebrates the history and nostalgia surrounding baseball card collecting. The discovery of these cards transports collectors back to a simpler time, when acquiring a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine and eagerly awaiting the prize.
For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, securing these items for auction marks a significant achievement, shining a spotlight on the enduring allure and excitement of unearthing sports memorabilia gems. Whether the winning bidders choose to open the packs or keep them sealed, the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike. It serves as a testament to the legacy of baseball’s past and celebrates the timeless joy that these pieces of history continue to bring to fans of the game.
