[ls7plus]

Those are indeed the ones, Leon. I agree they are not rare if you're only seeking a type card, but the asking prices, low pop count (PSA has only graded 61 total out of 44 players listed in the 2007 Standard Catalog, or less than one and one-half of each player, and it has been grading postcard-sized cards for quite a few years now), the fact they were not listed at all in the 1995 Standard Catalog or another rather reliable and comprehensive guide I have from 1995, and lastly, that I had never even heard of them until I went trolling on ebay for PSA-graded Stan Musial cards the other day really made me wonder how scarce any given individual HOFer might be (you know I like rare and significant--the player creates the significance, even if the set is obscure!). As I indicated, Adam had stated online that they were produced by the Chicago-based Aarco Playing Cards company, who licensed the same images to the Bond Bread Company for their 1947 regular-sized issue. I am wondering if they were a relatively recently discovered issue, since they were seemingly unknown back in 1995 (I only have the '95 and '07 Standard Catalogs), and if perhaps they were an arcade issue limited solely to the Chicago area.

It also appears from your link that someone had completed or nearly completed an autographed set. I seem to recall that Bob Lemke had briefly addressed the issue of their legitimacy in a post several years ago, perhaps in connection with the debate regarding the clipped versus square corner cards in the regular '47 Bond Bread issue, including those in the '80's Festberg find (the latter, incidently, display a regular, rather than random dot pattern under the loop, indicating they were made with the original plates, though perhaps many years later).

I liked the graded Musial in the Bond Bread "Exhibits," the fact that it was one of his earliest issues, and already pulled the trigger on it, buying it Friday off ebay, despite the fact that unlike most sets I am familiar with, I really don't think I have a good handle on its true scarcity or lack thereof. Would really appreciate any imput from any board member with additional info.

Thanks for your time and response,

Larry