Pinpointing the date of Exhibit 4-in-1's

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Posted By: Paul

I just picked up my first Exhibit 4-in-1 from the oddball set that has players from different teams (and even boxers and actors) on the same card. Mine in the Vance/O'Doul/Shires/Critz card. (I'd post a scan, but I'm experiencing technical difficulties).



Anyhow, the Standard Catalog reports these cards as being issued from 1926-31, just like the postcard back exhibits. The slab on my card says 1929. And I think I've seen other date ranges reported too. But Art Shires is listed on my card as a Boston Brave. He's even pictured in a Braves uniform. And he played for the Braves only in 1932 and then retired. So it looks like 1932 is a safe bet for the date of my card, or maybe early 1933 if the Exhibit folks thought he might play that season. The rest of the players/teams on my card are consistent with a 1932 or 1933 date.



Are there other cards in the set that point to an earlier issue date? I know there's a Cobb, but to me that doesn't prove much since card companies issued cards of Cobb after he retired (U.S. Caramel and Sports Kings). Is there any other more solid proof of an earlier issue date? Is it really possible these things were issued over multiple years? It seems more likely that a set this tough was issued for a very short period of time. And does anyone know why these are so much tougher than most other Exhibits? Thanks.


Edited to correct the date on the slab.

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Posted By: Brad Green

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Posted By: Brad Green

Adam Warshaw dates this card circa 1931 or 1932 based on the fact that O'Doul was traded on October 14, 1930 from Brooklyn to Philadelphia.

http://www.imageevent.com/exhibitman/interestingexhibitcards

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Posted By: Paul

Interesting. From Adam's website it looks like the cards with boxers and actors are from a completely different set with large white borders.