In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a remarkable collection of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has recently come to light. Sequestered within their original vintage brown packaging, these cards are a significant find within the hobby, especially in such untouched condition. The fascinating discovery was unveiled through a social media post that captured a vintage arcade machine reminiscent of those which once dispensed these coveted cards.
Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional within the sports memorabilia industry, expressed his astonishment upon learning about this revelation from a contact on the east coast. The contact, who had connections to the arcade business, had acquired the cards from Mike Munves in New York, a renowned distributor and restorer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The discovery of these sealed packages, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, confirmed not only their authenticity but also their historical value.
Mendel, an ambassador for Memorabilia Experts, a Las Vegas-based enterprise specializing in memorabilia trade and auctions, promptly arranged for the consignment of these extraordinary artifacts. The unopened bricks, which likely contain multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could each be worth thousands of dollars due to their immaculate, uncirculated condition. Additionally, the haul included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, including ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and other baseball legends, making this discovery even more remarkable.
The 1963 “stat back” cards, renowned for the career statistics printed in red, are regarded as rarities due to their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, finding them in unopened vending packages is exceptionally rare, and similar items have commanded high prices in the collector’s market.
This comprehensive collection, comprising both the unopened bricks and the loose cards, is presently scheduled for auction and has already piqued considerable interest, attracting numerous bids. This auction not only offers a unique opportunity for collectors to procure these items but also celebrates the history and nostalgia associated with baseball card collecting, harking back to a time when obtaining a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine.
For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, obtaining these items for auction represents a significant feat, highlighting the ongoing allure and excitement surrounding the discovery of sports memorabilia gems. Whether the winning bidders choose to open the packs or preserve them in their sealed state remains to be seen. However, the mere existence of these cards in their original condition is a triumph for collectors and historians alike, as it commemorates the enduring legacy of baseball’s past.
