1963 Post #152 HANK AARON ERROR CARD

[keepmeposted]

As promised, I am sharing the image of the 1963 Post #152 Hank Aaron ERROR card destined to be part of the 7-card panel from Oat Flakes 15 ounce. As documented in "Postage Due", the entire line of this specific variety and size of cereal was dropped shortly before rollout of the promotion. The withdrawal of Oat Flakes 15 ounce is responsible for the majority of scarce short prints in the set.

The 7-card panel contains Chuck Cottier, Ken Hubbs, Lee Thomas, Charlie James, Hank Aaron (with a photo of Tommie), John Powell, and Tom Haller. I own the original copy art/paste-up with edits and strike-outs noted by Howard T. Slutz. Slutz worked with Mssrs Fred Smart, Turner, and Bill Betts in the Post cereal Art Department located in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The card image is extracted directly from the original copy art, and colorized to duplicate the format of the entire set. I trust that my fellow Post and JELL-O enthusiasts will act responsibly in enjoying the image. Please be mindful that I secured, and have on record, written authorization from Post and parent organization attorneys to portray the 1961-63 Post cereal baseball cards solely for hobby illustrative purposes. In other words, do not counterfeit the Aaron error card for personal gain.

KEEP ME POSTED!

Dan Mabey

[hoot-owl]

Good morning Dan:

And thanks for sharing such a great card (even if it is from the copy boards)--along with the background story.

There have been a slew of "replicas" being offered on ebay recently of many short prints from the Post sets--Aspromonte, Billy Williams, the 62 blue line variations, and today I saw a lot with two Jerry Adairs, Kasko and Yaz from the 63 set. These are photographic reproductions and sold as such--but I can only imagine what some unethical sellers will do downstream.

These replicas are just wrong.

[keepmeposted]

Hi, Peter.

Once upon a time, there was an outcry from collectors and dealers in the hobby pertaining to the subject issue. I vividly remember heated and animated debates opposing the practice beginning in 1975 that were aired in TS, BHN, and SCD and (as we used to refer to them) baseball card shows.

Initially, the relatively few proponents of generating fake cards and memorabilia stated it was a wonderful way to expose and allow newbies to enjoy cards they couldn't find or afford. As time progressed, the investment and speculation aspects of baseball card collecting precipitated recasting of this once relatively innocent pastime into the "organized" hobby, then the "sports card industry". This evolution opened the door for introduction of professional grading services, to supposedly lend a an air of sophistication, legitimacy, and policing of the industry. Once again, there was heated debate.

I never engaged in the debate, but my perspective never changed. I acquired genuine "raw" cards. I paid and traded for genuine cards in conditions I could afford. I couldn't afford then -- let alone now -- many cards I would have enjoyed having in my collection. I also didn't feel I needed an executive in a suit with a briefcase to lecture me on card conditions, or convince me that only professionally graded cards encased in plastic tombs could be enjoyed or declared to have value.

Fortunately, I had completed the majority of the major bubble gum, cookie, and marble baseball card issues by 1983. The timing was perfect for me to delve into food issues, because nobody seemed to care about them, they were cheap, and a challenge to complete sets. That is how I got started on the Post and JELL-O journey that I began in my youth. What's more -- you found throwback collectors, wonderful old-time salts who openly shared their stories and knowledge, and it was FUN!

Your comment about folks exploiting the Post and JELL-O cards by replicating them is sad but predictable. It is simply a reflection of the world in which we live. I harbor no resentment or anger toward people who engage in the practice, but feel badly that they are not experiencing the true joy of friendships and perhaps denying current collectors the satisfaction that may be found in pursuing "real" cards.

Your post about replicas and the opportunity for misuse of the Aaron error card prompts me to edit the image. I'll see if I can alter it, but still retain its character for enjoyment of the Post cereal baseball card community.

Keep me Posted!

Dan

[bnorth]

Here is your picture with a little extra. I personally don't have a problem with custom/replica cards as long as they are clearly labeled. I would love a high resolution scan to make my own clearly labeled replica.

[keepmeposted]

Hi, Ben.

Thank you for your post and kind overlay. As you will notice, I have changed the original image to reflect its pedigree.

I will need to spend some time improving resolution of the image. It is a somewhat difficult enterprise, because the text and statistics are literally cut and pasted on the board, and a high resolution scan will show each pasted text line and old fashioned white self-adhesive tape mark.

Maybe I can send it to Battle Creek, and have the Post art department and cartons and containers division work on it for us.

I'll be in touch.

Dan

[Bob Lemke]

Dan, What a great error card.

When I was a kid in 1962-63 I'd have a big bowl of Oat Flakes every morning before setting out on my paper route. I had many of what are today the scarcer Post cards from those years.

I really don't remember what happened to them, I probably sold them to Richard Gelman circa 1971 when I packaged a bunch of stuff and sent it off to CCC.

I really loved Oat Flakes and was ecstatic when Post revived the brand briefly in the 1980s(?). I haven't yet found a good substitute.