1983 AJAX Dog Food

[4reals]

Well, that was easy...you both summed it up pretty well. Thanks for the link to the other thread...I've gotten out of the habit of searching over there.

That thread on FCB fails to mention two things though. And Bob, you're probably the guy that can answer this too (forgive me if this is a tired subject that you've had to repeat multiple times in the past), but ...

1) How was it determined that these were AJAX dog food cards since there is no mention of AJAX on the card? Were they distributed in plastic or cellophane packs inside the dog food or were they a test run item for the following year? '83 wasn't that long ago...I'm sure some collectors on this board would remember possibly finding them while feeding their canine companions.
2) What was the determining factor in changing it from an "authorized" collector's issue from earlier SCD publications to an "unauthorized" one? Is there certain criteria used for all cards and/or sets in determining what is authorized? And what person(s) determines this, is there some type of committee or something?

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance...

[4reals]

After further inspection it appears as though the word AJAX faintly appears (very faintly - can barely make it out) in the bottom left black border. I looked at the other examples in the FCB forum and they have the same...still wondering if they were actually distributed in product. If so, I wonder if unopened packs of any of these exist?

[sdkammeyer]

Yes, they were inserted as singles in a cellophane wrapper inside the dog food. I believe (if my memory is correct) the card/wrapper was attached with some glue on the inside of the bag towards the bottom on the side.

I think I still own a few of these, and I can VIVIDLY remember begging my parents to buy that specific type of dog food just for the card.

I can also remember getting bitched at for opening/dumping the entire bag as soon as we got home

[moeson]

Maybe you are thinking of the Milk Bone cards. As Bob has stated, the AJAX cards were Broder type collector issues not associated with an actual dog food company.

[Bob Lemke]

I'm not sure what you mean about "authorized" collectors' issue. I believe they were always cataloged as unauthorized in the SCBC.

I also think Steve is thinking about the Milk Bone cards. "Ajax" cards were never associated with any product.

I believe that when they first came to market they were advertised with the Ajax name in one or more of the hobby periodicals, maybe even SCD.

[sdkammeyer]

Actually, now that you guys mention it .... I believe it was purina dog food. Not ajax or milk bone.

Now you got me wanting to sift through the mountain of 30 year old stuff in the closet

[4reals]

Originally Posted by Bob Lemke

I believe they were always cataloged as unauthorized

So, they were never associated with product, which means I don't have to look in vain for an unopened Guerrero pack.

But I'm still stuck on this unauthorized thing. Who has the authority to categorize something as authorized or unauthorized? What is the criteria for determining such a thing? Does unauthorized mean they were made without compensation to the players? Or does it mean there is a secret society of ancient card collectors in a smoke filled room who put a large red DECLINED stamp on the AJAX baseball card submission form?

[aelefson]

Joe-
I believe a Broders type issue, or an unauthorized issue, means that a collector/dealer made the set on their own, with no MLB license. Further, these sets were made to sell to unsuspecting collectors as legitimate product (hence the Ajax label on your card). Personally, I have several of these from Ball Street and a few other "companies" in my Don Mattingly collection. I buy them if I do not have them and if I can find them for less than a dollar. Some collectors will never touch them, especially those who were burned speculating on them in the 80s. Others will never touch them because there are so many legitimate issues out there. Even collector issues such as TCMA are considered legitimate, because there was never an intent to defraud buyers. As awlays, collect what you like but keep in mind there are hundreds of these sets produced in the 80s, and very little of it is catalogued in any standard hobby publication.
Alan