In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a cache of around 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has recently been unearthed. These cards, still sealed in their original brown packaging, represent a remarkable discovery within the hobby, especially given their pristine, untouched state. The news of this find was shared via a social media post featuring a vintage arcade machine reminiscent of those once used to dispense these collectible cards.
Bill Mendel, an esteemed figure in the sports memorabilia industry, expressed his astonishment upon being informed of the find by a contact on the east coast. The contact, who had connections to the arcade business, had acquired the cards from Mike Munves in New York, a well-known distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The sealed packages, displaying Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, verified their authenticity and historical significance.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a highly regarded Las Vegas-based memorabilia store and auction house, Mendel promptly arranged for the consignment of these coveted items. The unopened packages, likely containing multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could potentially fetch thousands of dollars each due to their flawless, uncirculated condition. As an added bonus, the collection also included a partially opened fifth package as well as hundreds of loose cards, among them ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and numerous other baseball legends, elevating the discovery to an even higher level of rarity and desirability.
The 1963 “stat back” cards, recognized for their red-printed career statistics, are considered rare due to their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, finding them in unopened vending packages is exceptionally scarce, with similar items commanding high prices in the collecting market.
The entirety of this collection, encompassing both the unopened packages and loose cards, is now slated for auction, generating significant interest and attracting substantial bids. This auction not only presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for avid collectors but also serves as a celebration of the history and nostalgia associated with baseball card collecting, harkening back to a simpler time when acquiring a card was as effortless as depositing a coin into a machine.
For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, successfully securing these items for auction represents a remarkable accomplishment, shining a spotlight on the ongoing allure and excitement of unearthing sports memorabilia gems. Whether the winning bidders choose to open the sealed packs or keep them intact remains their decision, but the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a victory for both collectors and historians, honoring the enduring legacy of baseball’s past.
