I need your help please

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Posted By: Rob D.

From the late 1940s through the 1960s, the Cleveland Indians (and other teams) sold picture packs of players both through the mail and at their stadiums. The ones you have -- if they are vintage -- should measure about 6.5 by 9 inches, but judging from the sheets you have them displayed in, they appear to be postcard size. I remember back in the early 1990s a set of cards like the ones you have being produced and patterned after one of the 1940s-50s picture packs.

Though the Indians did issue postcards (in addition to the picture packs), the tell-tale sign of the ones you have is the photo of the stadium. Below I've scanned a 6.5-by-9-inch photo that came in the picture pack. To my knowledge, the Indians never issued a vintage postcard with this same shot of the stadium.

Also, I've never come across pure-white vintage photos from the packs. They almost always have a bit of a "creamy" look to them. Yours appear nice and white. But again, it's the size of yours that's a giveaway. (If they're not indeed postcard size, please let us know).

I've also scanned a few of the envelopes in which the photos were sold. Because they were packaged like this, it's fairly easy to find complete sets (24-27 photos, depending on the year) in exceptional condition. Photos often are found with tack holes, and this obviously brings down the value.

The good news is that even if yours was an original set, the value would be only in the $75-$100 range (at best). So it's not like an early retirement has been vanquished.

My opinion is that your cards are from the 1990s and have minimal value. Again, if they're not postcard size, it's a different story.

I hope this helps.