Posted By:
Rob D.Bob,
It was at the Cincinnati show in either 1978 or '79, and I was at a dealer's table picking out some regionals of Indians (DanDees, Red Hearts, etc.). He asked me whether I was interested in a Salem Potato Chip (of a common player who I can't remember). I was pretty excited, because I'd never seen one but recalled seeing them listed in a few guides.
When he pulled out a photo-pack picture with a Salem's stamp on the back, I was crushed, simply because it wasn't what I expected. I passed on it, now knowing I wouldn't see another one offered during the next three decades. Did the one you saw this past weekend have a Salem's stamp on the reverse, because this one did. It immediately brought to mind the 1950 Num Num Potato Chips issue, which are simply the team-issue photos with a black stamp on the back.
As much as I love the 1952 Num Nums, I'm pretty cool on the 1950 issue (along with what's considered the Salem's) just because to me they seem like a repackaged imitation.
Mike Mosier of Columbia City Collectibles has two similar items, one of Luke Easter and the other of Dale Mitchell, which are described as "1952 Fleet Wing Gas cards." They're described as "6x9/thin stock/hand stamped," which to me translates as photo pack pictures that a business turned into a promotional product thanks to the aid of a hand stamp.
Thanks,
Rob