1954 All-Star Photo Pack
 

What’s the prevailing theory on why this particular photo pack is harder to find than similar (and also older) photo packs?

If the catalog listing for these is to be believed, the 1949 20 card All Stars Photo Pack blank-back set came in a red, black and white paper envelope. The method of distribution of the 1954 set is speculative, but it is thought they were sold in photo packs at concession stands. There are 24 in the 1954 set, so they may have been sold in two packs of 12 rather than as a whole set at once. The method of distribution and the possibility that you couldn't buy a set in a single pack would make them rarer. Plus the 1954 set has Mantle and Mays which makes them more desirable.

Great theories. Thank you for sharing your insights. I’ve been looking for the Banks and Kaline for years. Got lucky and found the Kaline on eBay listed as “an old photo” or something like that. Until that point, I didn’t even know what the Kaline looked like. I know what the Banks looks like, but I’ve never seen one for sale.

I think these got hawked outside the ballparks as well by enterprising vendors.

Interesting.