Exhibits cards - mainstream, oddball, what?

[MCoxon]

Guys - quick question. Have collected off and on for 30+ years but had never really seen, much less collected, Exhibits cards until stumbling upon them on eBay over the past few months.

I have gotten a few now, and really like the old-time look and feel of them (e.g., the Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson 1947-66s just look cool).

I've also picked up a few 1939-46 Salutations Exhibits, e.g,. Ted Williams, Bob Feller.

Questions:
1) Do you guys consider these mainstream?
2) Do you even consider them baseball cards? Or more postcards?
3) Are the Statistics Back Exhibits more desirable, in your opinion? (I think the Maris is sweet, tried to bid on one but it went way over my max bid)

My grandfather was a sportswriter and my dad gave me a few old time press release/photos as well (e.g., Rocky Colavito), but I think these are different from the Exhibits "cards"? Do any of you collect the old press release photos?

Any way, I love the vintage look and feel of the Exhibits, and just wondering what other collectors think and any insight on how these cards were distributed, quantities, etc.

Thanks a ton,
Mike

[Bestdj777]

1) Do you guys consider these mainstream?
- I do not consider these mainstream as they were not issued like most cards. My understanding is they were sold in machines and not companion pieces to another item like gum or cookies.
2) Do you even consider them baseball cards? Or more postcards?
- I do not consider them baseball cards but rather postcards. The only reason for this distinction is that, for the player I collect, I try to get all of his card. There are a handful of Exhibit variations that are prohibitively expensive at this point, so considering them postcards alleviates the need to get them all, at least in my circular way of thinking.
3) Are the Statistics Back Exhibits more desirable, in your opinion? (I think the Maris is sweet, tried to bid on one but it went way over my max bid)
- I don't know if they are more desirable, but my personal experience has been that they are more expensive, likely because they were produced in a more limited capacity. If you are going for all Exhibit variations from a single player, than I could see the need to get the stat backs, but if you just want one of each player, etc., I don't see any meaningful distinction between the two types.

[autograf]

Mike.......

You'll find a lot of Exhibit collectors on here in one capacity or another. I think you have the 1920's and 1930's exhibits that I wouldn't consider mainstream personally. I think the Salutation and 1947-1966 exhibit sets are more mainstream. Size-wise they are different from cards but fall into similar sizes as the 1964 Topps Giants, 1970/1971 Topps Supers etc. Basically, it's what you make of it......if you want to consider them 'cards' and collect them that way, go ahead. The 1947-1966 set contains a ton of variations and tougher cards issued later in theat time run. I like all the exhibits and have a complete set of 1947-1966's and missing about 8-10 from the Salutations and have complete sets of all (3) Stat Back sets........overall, they're pretty affordable cards for the period they were issued in and some of the cards/poses are fantastic. Good luck in your quest!

[JTysver]

I consider them mainstream as they weren't regional from my understanding, but were nationwide.
They also aren't postcards as they weren't sold as postcards and they weren't designed as postcards. They were sold in vending machines as baseball cards.
There are numerous sets besides just the 1947-66, Stat back and Salutations.
There are some which are tinted.
There are some pricier ones are those from the 1920s.

If you like the old time feel of them, look for some of the boxing, football or hockey ones. There also are movie stars, cowboys and probably a couple others.

If you really are into collecting them, you should seek one of the older vending machines.

Here is some information on them.
http://www.moviecard.com/zamerican/e...itgeneral.html

[MikeGarcia]

...my only complaint is they take up a lot of space in your Bank Safety Deposit Box.

..but they are , in my eyes , big beautiful old baseball cards , with enough variations in the issues to make a set-completionist whacko like me happy...join the club ; you'll enjoy the chase and the hunt.......oh , and bring money since some of them are downright pricey...

..

[MattyC]

I love the Exhibits-- as my avatar shows.

I think especially that the Lou Gehrig Exhibit RC is one of the coolest cards in the whole hobby!

I consider them mainstream, and also as cards, not postcards.