Questions about 1960 Post Cereal "cards"

[whiteymet]

Hi All:

Recently a bunch of us advanced Post Cereal collectors have been in discussions about the 1960 Post Cereal set. This is the large photos with the "wood frame" around the photos.

I am asking for your help. Does anyone have complete boxes with these cards? If so please post photos showing the front and back and sides if possible. Or if you have partial boxes or photos of complete boxes please post them as well.

These were only issued on Grape Nut Flakes boxes. Recently we "learned" that the cards were issued on both size boxes.

We are now trying to figure out if all nine cards were issued on both size boxes, some only issued on one size and/or some but not all issued on both size boxes.

Secondly, if you have any of them cut off the box please list what player you have and if there are two lines of glue running from top to bottom on the reverse or if there is no evidence of glue.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. I will be glad to inform anyone interested in our findings once our investigation is completed.

Thanks,

Fred

[toppcat]

I'll post old SCD article from 1983, which I believe is the first mention of more than one type of box for 1960 Post, as soon as I can unlock my Photobucket account.

[toppcat]

Here it is, screw Photobucket. I'll figure out my new photo sharing site some other time!

https://pix.sfly.com/tobfAZ

[Bestdj777]

Fred,

All I have is Mantle. I don't recall there being glue on the back--it's cut from the box. If that is inconsistent with your knowledge/what you have, I am happy to dig it out of the safe to confirm.

Good luck,

Chris

[bnorth]

Here is a Mantle, no glue stains.

[AustinMike]

Here's a picture of my Mantle. I don't have a picture of the back but there are no glue stains. I know I also have a Drysdale here somewhere and possibly a Mathews, but they've apparently found a good hiding place. Once I locate them I'll send pictures of them.

In the meantime, here's a link to a Sotheby's auction from 2007.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...5/lot.342.html

A set of 9 complete boxes comprised the lot. Three of the boxes indicate they are "LARGE SIZE" and the other six have no such indication. The "LARGE SIZE" boxes definitely have more room on the back (more space between card and edges, larger font size for "SPORT STARS" etc.). Based on the photos, I'd guess that my Mantle came from a large size box.

Unfortunately, the fronts of the boxes aren't shown. When I got my Mantle, it came with a Grape Nut Flakes front of the box panel that allegedly was from 1960. But I think the front panel actually dates from 1961 based on the baseball card promo pictured on it. When I find the Drysdale and hopefully Mathews, I'll also send a picture of the front of the box that I have.

[toppcat]

.

[toppcat]

[hoot-owl]

The four I have all have clean backs--Mathews, Drysdale, Kaline and Cousey.

[brian1961]

Several years before the June 2007 Sotheby's auction, Mastro Fine Sports offered the same complete set in their 4-22-2003 auction. Attracting 19 bids, it sold for $13,915, a price I believed to be "a steal". This sale was mentioned in my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, in the chapter I devoted to the 1960 Post Cereal. I was unaware of Sotheby's offering the set in 2007; naturally, I would have included that offering, particularly since it nearly doubled in price from the Mastro sale, being won at $27,000.

My prized the 1960 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle also is unstained on its backside.

I thought I remember Post putting a strip of glue on the wax bag holding the cereal to keep it in place whilst the assembly moved toward the mechanism that dumped the Grapes Nuts Flakes into the bag. It would seem the glue would have been placed on the bag facing the backside of the box front.

I wasn't at the plant, of course, being just 6 years old at the time of the '60 Post. Trying to figure this matter out is fun, nonetheless.

Some people gave me some fascinating anecdotes and insights for that chapter---hint, hint. ---Brian Powell

PS--Austin Mike---PM about your 1960 Post Cereal Mantle; I want to discuss it with you.

[pawpawdiv9]

Here is one that I had before I sold it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200985215188...649&rmvSB=true

[AustinMike]

I couldn't find Mathews, so I must not have it. Wishful thinking I guess. I have attached the Drysdale. It does have what appears to be glue residue on the back. (Interesting, the back is showing up bigger than the front. What kind of error card is that? )

[Bestdj777]

Mike, the Drysdale is clearly a fake as they never made a Drysdale with a larger back than front. Please feel free to send it my way as in less concerned with authenticity

[AustinMike]

Hey Chris, sure, will do buddy. In fact, I will personally deliver it to you. Just send me your address, times when you won't be home, and where you keep the hidden key to your house and where you keep your Mantle collection so I can be sure to leave it in the right place.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

Here is one that I had before I sold it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200985215188...649&rmvSB=true

I STRONGLY beg to differ with SGC's idea of a grade of " 10 POOR" for that radiant piece. Several common, distinct clues are present that I wrote about in chapter 2 of my book. I realize SGC prides itself on the severity of their grading, but "10 POOR" What would they grade one with severe tape marks, a jagged lousy cut, writing on it, larger pin holes, and glue residue? There's too many fine qualities on your regal Mantle to have been stabbed mercilessly with a "10 POOR".

Then again, back in 2008, when SGC graded mine, which was missing perhaps a 1/64" stretch of the lovely frame, the graders gave it "AUTHENTIC". That was ok, I guess, considering I was the first collector who had ever submitted a 1960 Post Cereal to them, and they weren't sure it would fit into their largest holder. I was just relieved they were willing to give it a try, on my dime of course. As you can attest, they must shoe horn the card into their beautiful holder, and delicately cut own what's left of their black framing cardboard. It JUST fits, but the result is spectacular.

I put mine right smack dab in the middle of the cover of my book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Stands out just as Anita Ekberg!

1/2/2017 UPDATE: My 1960 Post Cereal Mantle has no glue or wax residue on the backside.

Anyway, thanks for sharing. ---Brian Powell

[pawpawdiv9]

@Brian: Since these were hand-cut from cereal boxes...They should be given 'AUTH" only for that reason. But we do see items like Bazookas given grades.
At the time, as mentioned in the Ebay description, there were only 2 given numerical grades by SGC and only 1 by PSA.

[Exhibitman]

Mathews, two strips of glue on back.

[whiteymet]

Thanks for the input Adam!

Anyone else have any of the 1960 Post?

[Paffman17]

I have recently acquired 8/9 of these, just missing the Unitas. I've learned a lot from this thread and I am trying to decide if getting these graded is the way to go or not. Thanks

[swarmee]

Probably depends how they're cut. If they have full frames and would get number grades, then they'd very likely be worth grading. Nice score.