Spring 2020 Premium Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/20/2020
Encapsulated and assessed "Authentic" with Autograph authenticated by Beckett. Hall of Famer. "The Fordham Flash" has placed a precise and flowing, black fountain pen signature on the otherwise unmarked obverse of this 1928 Exhibits arcade card collectible. Frisch, who was enshrined at Cooperstown in 1947, passed away in 1973.
The postcard-sized products of Chicago's Exhibit Supply Co. enjoyed nationwide distribution – primarily through free-standing vending machines in arcades and amusement parks – from the early 1920s until the mid-1970s. The cards covered a variety of topics, including actors/actresses, cowboys, pretty girls, comics, numerous novelty themes and baseball players, with the latter being the most popular subjects. Unlike their gum card counterparts, though, arcade cards weren't carefully unpacked from secure, protective wrappers and neatly filed or preserved. Instead, a majority quickly landed in shirt- or pants-pockets immediately upon purchase, and thereafter wound up suffering catastrophic damage as their new owners went on to enjoy roller coasters, pony rides and other amusement park activities. Sadly, many of the items were thrown away. A few, however, did manage to endure the obvious pitfalls, and one such group – a number of high-quality, player-signed survivors from the scarce and content-rich 1927 and 1928 Exhibits issues – are offered in this sale. That the cards transitioned through the decades is nothing less than remarkable, and the fact that the items are adorned with splendid signatures reflects the ultimate in favorable circumstances.