Anyone know how many 1945 Navy All-Star Programs "for the fleet" were made?
 

As many of you know, in 1945, with so many MLB players drafted during WWII, the Navy had an All-Star series held at Furlong Field in Hawaii. The series was a 7 game Series (although the series was technically won in 6, they played a 7th game, presumably because it was more about entertaining the troops than who won the series.)

At the series, they gave out a program that a special program that was exclusively for the fleet which was 14 pages and said, "Souvenir Program for the Fleet" on the front.

Over the years I've come across a few copies of the program and of the 3 I've had discussions about, 2 came from players, and the 3rd I don't know of its origin.

I was chatting with someone a few days back and they asked me how many of these programs were originally made and it occurred to me that I had no idea.

I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge (or way of estimating) how many programs were made? Thanks!

If you're lucky, it will have a printed datecode and quantity. Some places did that. it will be a number like

XXXXXXX x/41 10M


The xs are what I think is the job number, x/41 would be the date printed, and 10M would mean 10,000 copies.


Not everything had a code, and they don't always have all of that, and sometimes part is at the lower left of the page and the rest at the lower right.


If it was a union printer, there should be a union logo and number which indicates the printing company.

Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to share this info.

I looked through the program a few times and there does not seem to be anything like that.

On the 3rd page it says:

"Program by LUKE WALTON, Lieutenant, USNR

Art work by Ted Hotko, PTR 2/c"

Is that telling?