topic: why are exhibits so underrated as a set?

[wolverinejayhawks]

As an Exhibit card collector, I can add the following:

1. When people say dull, part of that is the monotone nature of exhibit cards, which also generally have a blank back. Tobacco and then candy cards were using multi-colors back in the 1800s. The Exhibit Supply Company presses weren’t set up to do multi-color.

2. Size made storage more of a hassle to early collectors.

3. The fact that the hoppy labeled them as “oddball” cards didn’t increase their popularity.

4. After the 1920s, they tended to have longer print runs for various sets. As noted earlier, Salutation Exhibits (1939- ?) kept the same cards for a long time and replaced them only as players retired. I’m sure this made the set look unfresh to kids who were the primary consumers of cards at the time. Topps and Bowman were what kids purchased in the 1950s and when collecting took off in the 1980s, that’s what they wanted: to rebuild their childhood collections.

I am not sure about the reprint angle. The 1980s reprints are clearly marked so you can tell they are reprints.

If you are interested in Exhibit cards, Adam Warshaw’s book is a great history of the sets.

https://www.lulu.com/shop/adam-warsh...e=1&pageSize=4

Vince


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