Help with possible Canadian Exhibit cards

[JeffM]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about these .
They were purchased from an honest dealer in Western Canada in the mid 80's. (probably 85/86.) The dealer really knew nothing about them and basically gave them to me.
Judging by the backs they are not the American version of the 1947-66 exhibit cards. The photos appear a little closer cropped than the American versions (ie. I can see less of Mantle's foot on mine) and I believe they are slightly smaller. (5 1/4 by 3 1/4).

I found one discussion on reddit that mentioned a very similar Mantle to mine, but it was stamped with CNE-EX to basically distinguish itself from the American version. In this same discussion it said the 8 cards were reissued in 1969 by ESCO at the CNE (Canadian National Exposition) and those cards issued happen to be the exact 8 that I have.

My best guess is mine are from this batch but never got stamped with the CNE-EX or were "faked" between 1969 and 1985.
I have include some photos (which I had trouble uploading after resizing). Any info/insight would be greatly appreciated.

This is the link to the article on reddit.
It mentions why the cards were made for the CNE but it doesn't say who the source is.

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseballcar...esco/#lightbox

[AustinMike]

I bought the Mantle CNE EX a few years back on eBay. The seller said it came from the Canadian National Exhibition. I searched online and could find no information connecting it to the CNE. I posted about it on Net54 and the consensus here was that it was a fantasy piece. I would also like to know if there is concrete documentation linking it to the CNE.

In the attached picture, it's shown compared to the American 1962 stat back version.

I would guess that whoever made mine also made yours, they just neglected to stamp it. To me, the question is, are these legitimate issues or not? Were they made for the CNE or by someone in their basement?

[AustinMike]

Since it had been a few years since I did a search on these, I did another one today. The following came up:

A YouTube video about the cards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NadV-9poizI

A 2023 Heritage auction that featured 4 of the cards:

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c.../50066-80595.s

[JeffM]

Thanks for the great info.

[AustinMike]

In my searching yesterday, I also found a website for the CNE archives. I contacted them about the Exhibit cards. Here's the reply I got yesterday:

Good afternoon Michael,

Thank you for emailing the CNE Archives. Though I know the Blue Jays had their start at the CNE Grandstand, nothing comes to mind about the Montreal Expos. It does sound like something that the CNE would have participated in though. I’ll check the physical collection tomorrow and let you know what I find.

Best,

Shayda Spakowski
Archivist and Heritage Engagement Specialist


The response I got today was as follows:

Hi Michael,

It’s my pleasure. I’ve looked through the collections but have not been able to find any documentation that supports the CNE gave or sold Montreal Expo baseball cards. Our collection is not complete and there are gaps we are working on filling, but at the moment it doesn’t look likely.

I’m sorry I couldn’t share more positive feedback. If you have any questions or if there is anything else I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best,

Shayda Spakowski
Archivist and Heritage Engagement Specialist

So I responded that I'm not looking for Montreal Expo cards and sent her an example of what I was looking for. I also asked if she had seen the CNE Ex stamp used before. Her response was:

Hi Michael,

Ah, I see. Thank you for clarifying. I haven’t seen anything like the photos you’ve sent in the archives, but there might be something hiding in one of the general collections. I’m not familiar with the stamp they used either. It might have been a custom one created especially for the Exhibit cards.

I’ll take another look through the archives on Monday and let you know if anything comes up.

Best,

Shayda Spakowski
Archivist and Heritage Engagement Specialist

While I doubt that she will find any information regarding the cards, I have to say that she has been very helpful and very quick in responding. Kudos to Shayda and the CNE Archives group.

[Exhibitman]

From the look of the cards, they are not ESCO products. ESCO used a polished finish tan stock front and back in the relevant period until the late 1960s when they switched to a white stock.

There are a variety of counterfeits out there. One tell-tale sign (besides the stock) is that there are no duds in the lots. The counterfeiters targeted the star players. Also, not all copies were made recently to deceive. Many were made in the 1970s-1980s and will show some age.

[Zach Wheat]

Adam is the man on Exhibits. Also the counterfeit Exhibits I have held had a distinct grayish cardboard stock with blank backs. I am not an expert on Exhibits

[AustinMike]

I have not heard back from CNE. So, since CNE cannot come up with documentation that these were printed for them, I really doubt they are legitimate. I have to agree with Adam.

[Stuke1976]

Here is the link from Reddit I used for my Youtube video with part of the content pasted below.

Reddit CNE EX Link

Each summer Toronto hosts the Canadian National Exposition (CNE). 1969 was the first year of the Montreal Expos MLB Team. As part of that celebration the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago offered selected baseball cards at the "National" from their 1947-1966 Series of baseball cards. Since these cards included "Printed in the U.S.A." on the front, an agreement was reached with CNE officials to stamp a special identification on the back of the cards to distinguish these as cards produced to honor Canada's entry into Major League Baseball.

No records have been made available as to which player's cards were produced, nor the volume of each card. What is known is that only a few of the stars of baseball were made available from the 1947-1966 Series. What is also known is that the volume is very small because a controversy arose shortly after the opening of the Exposition, sales were halted, and the inventory of cards was quarantined.

What happened to them is unknown and as such, pricing guides do not list these cards because, so little is known. I have discovered only three of these from U.S. Dealers over the past 27 years, and have purchased the balance of my collection of 17 cards from Canadian sources. It makes these cards Super RARE! The identification on the card back is "CNE" plus "Ex". I'm told that stands for Canadian National Exposition (CNE) plus the Ex honors the Montreal Expos Baseball Franchise.

He also reached out to another expert that he knew who replied with the following:

Yes, I know about them. Have had them for years. Only 8 were ever available as far as I know. They are Aaron, Berra batting, Cash, Clemente, Kaline with two bats, Mantle Full batting pose, Maris and Mays portrait with SF. I got the same story back then about the 69 Expo you quoted below. As for if these are legit or not. I never figured that out. You don't see that many that's for sure.

I have been told not to bother sending them to PSA as they won't grade variations or cards not in the catalogue....however Beckett might.