Comprehensive Exhibit Supply Co (ESCO) Information

[Rickyy]

This is a great thread. I appreciate all the back ground on the issues since I'm trying to collect several HOF exhibit cards (only exception to my type card collecting which also includes all the exhibit cards by year).

I've noticed in my hunt certain cards of each year are harder to find than others (both HOF and non HOF cards). The toughest for me to find so far was the Earle Combs 25 exhibit. That one was harder to locate than the PCL exhibit cards.

Also I'm still looking for a salesman sample exhibit cards with the advertisement stamped on the card..I've seen very few of those. One came up awhile back on ebay...I think it was for Ken Williams.

Ricky Y

[bbcarddan]

Where would postcard backed 47-66 exhibits fall in terms of rarity on this list?I think they should be considered as a separate issue from the regular 47-66`s .I am not sure on this but I think they were issued for only one year and that a complete set could be put together.Where would odd ball backs or playing card Exhibits be ranked in terms of scarcity on this list?There are so many little known variations it`s hard to keep track,but it`s fun to try.Here are some examples,the Dad`s cookies and Cobb are not mine just scan`s I saved.Always love a good Exhibit thread!

[Exhibitman]

The Sauer is a 1955 issue which sometimes has "A Mutoscope Card" in the vertical dividing line. I've often wondered about the deal with those, i.e., why they were made and why the Mutoscope reference. The cookie card and the other card really should be classified as D and M sets, respectively, in the way that strip cards or M116s used for other businesses should be treated as those sorts of sets. All three are quite difficult.

That playing card design is an arcade card but it isn't an Exhibit card. I've got a few. The stock and images are not ESCO standard.

[bbcarddan]

Thanks for the clarification Adam,I assumed the playing card "Exhibits" for lack of a better term were some sort of issue like the 61 Wrigley`s Exhibits.I also wondered why they did the postcard back on those 47-66`s.

[smtjoy]

Thanks for all the post, some great info on this thread!

I remember bidding on that salesman sample, really wishing I had bid much harder on it back then.

Adam could you please post one of the 55's with the Mutoscope back, I have a couple and they all have the same as the PC exhibits.

Here are a couple more different backs, the triple nickle books is on a 47-66 Lemon, and the Playland is on a 39 Salutation Dizzy Dean.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

Also I'm still looking for a salesman sample exhibit cards with the advertisement stamped on the card..I've seen very few of those. One came up awhile back on ebay...I think it was for Ken Williams.

Ricky Y

[autograf]

I have 20ish or so of the 47-66 exhibits with the Mutoscope postcard backs. I bought them from a dealer at the national one year while looking through his normal exhibit binder. They are REALLY scarce as I haven't seen any since then other than yours. I'll try to dig 'em out and post the names that I have here if I can find them quickly.

[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Sweet Adam! That's it!

[wrapperguy]

My father, who turned 90 today, began collecting Exhibits and now has passed his love for postcard-style cards to me. I agree that the 1926s in particular are extremely tough, unless I am looking in the wrong places. We still need over 70 of them and never see one, and then when I do, it is one we already have. I have made significant progress on the 1923-24 set in the past few years and only need the Gonzales and Ruth. All the other Exhibits sets between 1921-1928 can be had with a little patience and money. Of the 4-in 1s, it is a terrific year if I can get one 1931-32 or 1933 knocked off the list. Tough to find particularly when you only need a few to complete the sets. The search continues and getting one still brings a smile to Dad's face.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by wrapperguy

My father, who turned 90 today, began collecting Exhibits and now has passed his love for postcard-style cards to me. I agree that the 1926s in particular are extremely tough, unless I am looking in the wrong places. We still need over 70 of them and never see one, and then when I do, it is one we already have. I have made significant progress on the 1923-24 set in the past few years and only need the Gonzales and Ruth. All the other Exhibits sets between 1921-1928 can be had with a little patience and money. Of the 4-in 1s, it is a terrific year if I can get one 1931-32 or 1933 knocked off the list. Tough to find particularly when you only need a few to complete the sets. The search continues and getting one still brings a smile to Dad's face.

That is so great that you and your Dad can share this.

[wrapperguy]

Thanks, Adam. It is special. Starting at the 1982 or 83 Chicago National, Dad and I went to a ton of shows together. Then, I started taking my sons to the shows to have their pictures taken with the autograph guests. It was costly then but outrageous today with the "Photo Opp Extra $20". Dad would hold one or both of my sons while I took the snapshot. They had their picture taken with DiMaggio, Mantle, Ali, Aaron, you name it. Had the photos enlarged and then sent them away for autographing. Had them personalized, again, costly but outrageous today with the "Personalizations Extra $15". It was awesome to have 3 generations of Schwarzes at the shows and looking at the photos brings back fond memories. Sorry to go off on a tangent to the thread.

[fkw]

This example shows IMO why these 4-in-1 cards were meant to be cut up into smaller cards like strip cards.