topic: why are exhibits so underrated as a set?

[jbsports33]

I have never understood this and most likely it has to due with size, like others have mentioned and there is lack of color. They are great to collect and there are more options then most understand - and the 1920s and 30s ones are so cool. I have had many in the past and current, some of my largest purchases and sales have been exhibit cards. Also - there are great sets in non sports, boxing and wrestling not just baseball. Keep your eyes out for 4 panel versions, as you can have more than one Hall of Famer on one card. Happy collecting! Jimmy

[dbussell12]

Originally Posted by jbsports33

I have never understood this and most likely it has to due with size, like others have mentioned and there is lack of color. They are great to collect and there are more options then most understand - and the 1920s and 30s ones are so cool. I have had many in the past and current, some of my largest purchases and sales have been exhibit cards. Also - there are great sets in non sports, boxing and wrestling not just baseball. Keep your eyes out four panel versions, as you can have more than one Hall of Famer on one card. Happy collecting! Jimmy

thanks jimmy! this is an awesome comment. if you ever have any 20s ones for sale particularly the 1921s i would love to chat.

you sound like an expert on these! would love to connect in pms and discuss further anytime. it sounds like we have a mutual appreciation for these wonderful artifacts of american history.

[jbsports33]

Originally Posted by dbussell12

thanks jimmy! this is an awesome comment. if you ever have any 20s ones for sale particularly the 1921s i would love to chat.

you sound like an expert on these! would love to connect in pms and discuss further anytime. it sounds like we have a mutual appreciation for these wonderful artifacts of american history.

The last few years I have sold out of the 1920s exhibits, had a larger collection and for about 2 years and sold most of them. Including Ruth, Cobb and many other stars. I will keep my eyes open for more, I really love the colored post card versions myself. Thanks!

[Rich Klein]

Size and also some of the most popular players are also printed to the moon (so to speak)

IIRC, The Ted Williams Exhibit was still available until his career completed in 1960 meaning there are a LOT of them in the wild.

But, on the plus side, if you paid attention to Lucky Larry's posts with pictures on Exhibit Variations, doing a master set of Exhibits is a real fun challenge. I enjoyed going through the COMC data base and separating those cards

Rich

[dbussell12]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Size and also some of the most popular players are also printed to the moon (so to speak)

IIRC, The Ted Williams Exhibit was still available until his career completed in 1960 meaning there are a LOT of them in the wild.

But, on the plus side, if you paid attention to Lucky Larry's posts with pictures on Exhibit Variations, doing a master set of Exhibits is a real fun challenge. I enjoyed going through the COMC data base and separating those cards

Rich

rich -- i do think there is an essential caveat here which is that different dates of printing are identifiable with research. the williams exhibit can be identified and closely time stamped based on several essential attributes on the card itself. its quite fun detective work with these cards!

they're a great time; i hear you on scarcity. i personally think when there's more of a card, its actually more meaningful in terms of democratic circulation, particularly on very period specific pieces like these. the 39s-46s in particular of crucial players/poses/depictions.

[Chris Counts]

I collect Exhibit cards, but I understand why many don't. They're caught in this no man's land between a card and a postcard, they lack color, it's basically one big set from 1939 to about 1966, and there are a bunch of fakes in the market, along with reprints, to muddy the waters. As a collector, where do you even start?

[dbussell12]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I collect Exhibit cards, but I understand why many don't. They're caught in this no man's land between a card and a postcard, they lack color, it's basically one big set from 1939 to about 1966, and there are a bunch of fakes in the market, along with reprints, to muddy the waters. As a collector, where do you even start?

yes, chris. this is a crucial observation. i think there is a much higher barrier to entry for these cards, as -- as you say -- they straddle many worlds and dating + understanding them requires a bit of sleuthing!! cheers!

[Rickyy]

I collect them myself. I have heard about the size issues as well, but to me the appeal is that it's a combo of photos of players from the golden era + it was often used as post cards, and it's a baseball card.

As Howard mentioned some of the HOF cards like Gehrig rookie have gone through the roof in terms of prices.

Ricky Y

[dbussell12]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

I collect them myself. I have heard about the size issues as well, but to me the appeal is that it's a combo of photos of players from the golden era + it was often used as post cards, and it's a baseball card.

As Howard mentioned some of the HOF cards like Gehrig rookie have gone through the roof in terms of prices.

Ricky Y

love the tape on the gehrig ricky. it adds a lot to the presentation of the card. they're great pieces of history aren't they? -- cheers -- david

[Kutcher55]

It's kind of a leading, biased question, isn't it? Who is to say they are underrated? The images are nice, but the main reason I don't collect them is that they aren't what I could consider to be baseball cards. Also, as a general rule of thumb, I find cards with blank backs to be disappointing, almost without exception.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

Also, as a general rule of thumb, I find cards with blank backs to be disappointing, almost without exception.

The backs aren't all blank!

But I also agree with all of the drawbacks that others have mentioned.

One more to add - I think they mostly/entirely came from vending machines, rather than packs? And so therefore, that's another black mark against them.