Truly scarce postwar cards
 

I think this one qualifies, and just happens to be the first issue of a major HOFer. Others?

The only Northland I've seen since I've collected Red exclusively. (its been about 6 years)

Got very lucky a fellow member reached out. Never seen one for sale publicly in that time.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bd27cb32ed.jpg

With a complete sheet selling recently, they’ve been in the news. Only about 5 copies known for each player, at most.

Added bonus that this issue probably takes the prize for greatest value to visual appeal ratio.

1982 Korean card of Tom Seaver. I was told by a friend who is fluent in Korean that it was issued by the Lotte potato chip company. I've never seen another card of any player from the set.

I suspect the 1948 Gunther Beer Wash. Senators postcard set is the toughest post-War PC set and tougher than most of the pre-War PC sets. PSA has graded a total of 16 cards from this set, including 1 Vernon-Coan card. As best as I can tell, SGC hasn't graded any cards from this PC set.

That's awesome!

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Tough Topps items

Oddball tough

In 1981 Topps issued several team sets cobranded with Coke. All but the Yankees had 11 cards and a Header card in their set. For some reason only 3 Yankee cards and the Header card made it to the public. This is the the 8th unissued Yankee card. The other 7 were posted above

I'd call this "scarce", not rare by any means but this little known 53 Dorman Skowron is super tough. Took me 4 months to find one when I put my set together. I got it raw and subbed it myself, presents better than a 1 (crease free, got lucky), but it's stamped and was sent. A quick check on Ebay currently and there are two spendy but decently priced...that was not the case when I was looking of course.

https://i.ibb.co/1W3t8sV/53-Bill-Dormand.jpg


About as "scarce" as anything I have...I'm sure the 63 Fleer Checklist doesn't apply...haha. I guess I'm a pretty boring post war collector.

Wasn't the Gil Hodges Dorman PC ultra scarce for years until someone found a warehouse find of thousands of them? Or is that something I've just imagined in my advanced age.

That is true and one of the best post war stories out there. Apparently they never mailed out Gil's back in the day (the players used these to hand out to fans, and some were sold at specific stadiums) and his stash was found in the artists basement years later after he passed, not that long ago. The VERY FEW that were in the hobby were going for 5 digit prices, even for poor cards and it was considered by many as one of the rarest post war cards of them all. The discovery was purchased in whole at an auction and unfortunately for anyone who spent big bucks to get one, the value dropped exponentially. There is a PSA 10 on ebay for like $300 right now. The stash was in mint shape. I have a 7 I graded myself, and also picked up an 8 a while back for next to nothing. Just goes to show there are winners, and LOSERS when there is a big find. If you google it there are many articles on this...again, a pretty cool story.

I've read, not sure what the truth is, but Skowron and Elston Howard threw most of theirs away, thus the premium.

Tough one.

Here’s another fun one. PSA Pop 3.

For the uninitiated, the numbered version was a test, and never actually issued on boxes. The unnumbered version is pretty ubiquitous.

rare
 

Bazooka Mays

In addition the unnumbered version..is found everywhere :)

This, over any others….all day, everyday.

My Elston Howard is in pretty good shape, but I still need one of those Skowron's. I'm hoping to find a decent one at a good price eventually. Dormand's and those little 1950 Callahans are some of my favorites non-standard cards from the 50s.

John, for your complete set, did you you go with one per player, or did you make sure to get each of the known photo variations for each guy?

That's a super nice Elston...took me a while to pick that one up as well. I did go with all the poses, yes...and dabbled in a few of the auto positioning and no number cards but didn't focus on those. It is shocking to see the low PSA graded totals on all Dormands, seems only the 2 Mickey's are popular to sub...my set is all SGC.

The only variation that I would like to pick up one day but not sure it's even considered a "card", is the Arkansas auto dealership Johnny Sain. It's over sized and PSA has only graded 3 of them. I've never seen one available.

Couple of 1 of 1's
 

1957 Salesman sample panel: better of 2 examples I know of
1960 Clemente Bazooka complete box - only known example
1962 Jell-O complete box - only known complete box
1962 Salesman sample panel: best of 3 or 4 known examples
1968 Topps Test disc: Only known example (though there should be some various proof versions out there somewhere)
1972 Topps prototype - Only known example
1960 Mickey Mantle complete Bazooka box - Finest of 2 known examples

What is the Clemente card next to the disc?

I think that's the 1972 Topps Prototype (and the coolest one of the Grouping IMO)

I'm gong to switch sports Here
 

And this one on EBay is not mine but,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38836087625...3ABFBMiJylydVl

Beckett and TCDB have never catalogued this set. COMC has never had one card from this set submitted and this is the only one we found on the Bay

I picked up this card up as a raw card as part of a lot at the DCS and to be honest, both the person who sold me the lot and myself treated this card as well it's just a LeBron. Sometimes you walk into things you just don't know.

Regards
Rich

Howard busting out the complete boxes!!

Here’s another 62 Jello complete box, also 1 of 1. Obviously more were made, but not many survived.

these two
 

1963 Pepsi Bateman

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c.../50007-81078.s

1967 Dexter Press Paul Schaal only Angel in the set

Geez...not only survive, but dang near pristine! For some reason that Mays box just grabbed my eye...super cool, very impressive.

Love all the rare/scarce cards from throughout the years. Hopefully many more posts will be added with additional pictures.

And here is another just like it. Full disclosure: it’s currently mine, but I’ve got it listed on the REA marketplace, so we’ll see how long it lasts.

Yoohoo
 

Only 2 players know
Full size yoo hoo

Rarest of the rare
Not even listed in the idl set registry

Only 1 known

Only these 4 known

The only Fosforos Los Peloteros I seen complete with Tax Stamp

What a great thread!

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Thought I would add a few of my own favorites.

"What a name"!!

Mascot Dog Food is pretty rare and Val explained the Gunther Beer:

1971 Topps winners, empty contest box, and entry form
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cdb54ea6c6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e8aaff45bb.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b5b93eeca3.jpg


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There is some amazing stuff being shared in this thread. Thanks guys!

Dad's Cookies
 

ANY 1959 Dad's Cookies cards. Issued one year in Vancouver Canada stapled to bags of cookies. Here are a few with the ultra rare album

1969 Topps Bowie Kuhn promo
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3d71170af7.jpg

And some more modern ones:

1984 Topps Darryl Palmer (noted above - movie prop from “The Slugger’s Wife”)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b94887e397.jpg


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Only 1 known of any player

Topps 1975 with Ansel Adams suited up....https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrE...AJF.SxA71mHao-

Dad’s cookies are good fun, for sure. My recollection is that most players have a few known copies. I own 2 of the Mays myself, so they’re not impossible to find!

Odds and Ends

1 more for the 1980 topps coins

Cool set! Of the cards you shared I love best those of Naomi Savage and Ansel Adams. I really like Ansel Adams' work, and (re Naomi) posing with bat and fur coat for a baseball card is epic.

Is the 1971 numbered Bazooka Mays particularly scarce within the numbered set? I know the numbered cards are tough, but I never thought they'd have a population of only 3 each. I have about twenty of the numbered cards (but no Mays).

They are all pretty scarce, but Mays seems to be extra scarce. Pop 3 is also a bit of a misdirect, because there are also 4 complete panels with Mays.

1971 Pirate Team Issued Autograph card Bruce Kison. It’s not listed as part of the set in PSA. There is one on eBay at the moment. It’s the only one I’ve seen other than the one I have in my collection. The 1958 Clemente Team issue is scarce. The 1971 Pirates action photos are pretty tough as well especially in nice condition due to the paper stock

When International Bakery was experimenting with their initial baseball issue which we now know as the 1975 Hostess Twinkies set, they experimented with different back colors including black ink and brown ink on the back. The Twinkies set differs from the normal "Hostess" set as it has black bars along the top and bottom of the card.

International Bakery's printer was out of Pittsburgh. They printed some test sheets in other colors as well including yellow, red and pink. The sheets were thrown away in the dumpster and an employee went dumpster diving after work. The sheets were recovered and were sold to a dealer. The dealer cut up and sold a number of the brown bar Hostess Twinkie cards on the open market. Most of the brown bar Hostess Twinkies you see on the market come from these sheets.

1975 Hostess Twinkies is a limited set and considered more rare than the 1975 Hostess set. The 1975 Hostess Twinkie Brown Bar variations are even more rare than the Black Bar variations, which are perhaps 1/4 more rare than the black bar variations.

To date I have never seen any of the other color - but I am told they exist. Maybe a Yount rookie in 1975 Hostess Twinkie red back variation will pop up some day. Or maybe a Ryan.....we might never know. But I am told they exist.....

I like the Goldmine Fox. I will chime in with a few:

1948 and 1949 Sommer & Kaufmann

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...%20OquDoul.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...SK%20PDoul.jpg

A card sized scorecard issued in 1982 in South Korea to commemorate a tour by Aaron, Ernie Banks and a few others to celebrate the opening of SK's first professional league.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...0Aaron%201.jpg

All of these are just about impossible Jackie Robinson cards:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...son-Cagney.jpg

1950 Sylvan Sweets mail response card

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...binson%201.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...binson%202.jpg

1950-ish publicity mail response card

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...kie%20RPPC.jpg

1955 All American Sports Club premium

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...0publicity.jpg

Very tough regional Koufaxes:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...l%20Koufax.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...s%20Koufax.jpg


It took me years to get examples of these:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...sen%2074-B.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ad%20Rosen.jpg

1964 Penafiel (Mexico) Gehrig:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...l%20Gehrig.jpg

1950s Coney Island Arcade Gehrig:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...e%20Gehrig.jpg

This one is unique:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...n%20miscut.jpg

Shown this a few times around these parts, but besides the ones I have, I still haven't seen another one (and when I finally do, it'll spiral me into a nasty,
all-encompassing depression...and I thank you in advance for your kind words of encouragement in the event that does happen)... :eek:

Attachment 660453

1991 Leaf Gold Rookies Mussina numbered variation (276 instead of BC12)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2387a2598b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d260366649.jpg


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no need for words! 'nuff said!!
 

Rarest Topps cards??

1951 Topps Current All Stars Roberts, Stanky and Konstanty

George, I'm lovin" your Mascot Dog Food card of "The Boy Wonder."

All 2-card panels of the 1953-54 Briggs Meats cards are quite scarce, and I've never seen another panel signed by both players:

Adam, I really admire your Pocket Television Theatre Jackie Robinson flip book.

Most of all, I love your 1959 Morrell Meats Sandy Koufax. That baby looks super; the colors are radiant. I devoted chapter 6 to this card, A Boy's Quest to Get the One Card He Wanted, in my book NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Adam, that Sandy really fits this thread to a T. Congratulations, sir.:) --- Brian Powell

The Briggs are definitely tough, even as singles, but astronomically rare as panels. Here’s the closest thing I have to a panel, which admittedly isn’t really all that close. But it does still retain the hot dogs on the side!!

PSA Pop 14, so still pretty rare.

Where do you all find these rarities?

I have been to the National 20 times, and I have never found anyone who sells or collects things as rare as these. Most dealers (while very nice) look at me like I have something wrong with me… or have no idea what I’m talking about.

Can’t speak for everyone else, but auctions are a big source for me. Just as important, maybe more so, Howard and Fred have helped me find a lot. Either way, you usually need to be prepared to spend big, because a lot of these don’t come cheap, at least not for the big names.

Pretty sure my Briggs Mays was one that Fred helped me find. Here’s one that Howard helped me find.

Just 2 ever graded.

Auctions and private deals. The well of rarities at shows has run dry.

Steve Werely, a great guy, RIP, used to have a table full of scarce to rare items on his table at all the Nationals. Miss him a lot

The Gibson in the first post was from a member here.

Time for another sweet yet rare Mays. Alaga Syrup postcard from 1954. Only 1 known. I think this is another one that Fred helped me find.

1960 Venezuelan topps tattoos
 

Couple tattoos that are the only ones known to exist for these players

Rare
 

More venezuelan tattoos

So you ended up with the Musial was wondering who bought it.

Yes...u keeping your 2?

Yes keeping all of them

Nice tats!

Here’s another rare Mays. PSA pop 17 in total. Mine is super rough, but sometimes that’s all you can find.

+1 to the bolded part. Some rare items from Howard and Fred:

Attachment 660783

Attachment 660784

Attachment 660785

A rare Venezuelan issue from eBay and talked about here:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ker-album-set/

Attachment 660786

Holy crap Rick! I've never seen that Harmon before...WOW

There are 10 SSP prize winning cards in the 1968 Atlantic Oil set. Here are a pair of them:

A $100 winner is an SSP on 11:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...A%203%20MK.jpg

A $1 winner is probably the most commonly found:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...c%20Wilson.jpg

I have never seen another Davis, the NL $100 winner, or the $2500 winner cards.

1949 Hages are difficult too and the Negro League players command a big premium:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...s%20Wilson.jpg

How about a couple of HOF salesman samples. There can't be more than 1 or 2 of these in the wild.

Time for another postcard. 1953-55 Howard Photo Service Mays with the 7-Up back. PSA Pop 11.

Here’s one for Adam: 1955 Exhibits Mays, with and without the Mutoscope back. With is pop 1 and without is pop 2.

Those are a pair of beauties, Nicolo. Here's a proof of the card:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ys%20proof.jpg

Different card stock, different size and cut than regular issue.

Just when I thought I finally had something on Adam, he pulls out the proof!

Time for another: 1955 Robert Gould All-Stars Mays. PSA Pop 15.

I guess everyone else is giving up on this thread!

Keeping it rolling with some more of my man Mays. PSA shows just 1 of these 1957 Knickerbocker Beer Mays/Hodges. I’m pretty sure I have 2, and maybe a 3rd that is raw. If memory serves, Larry might have sold these to me on eBay.

Yes I did

Adam:

To be exactly correct your proof is not a proof of Raulus's PC backs. The PC backs are Made in U.S.A. and your proof is Printed in U.S.A.