Issued in 1949 they are quite rare (Engel classifies them as R4, less than 10 copies known) and I have two of them, Tigers slugger Kaoru Betto and Giants star Noburo Aota!
The Aota one is particularly interesting since its a previously unknown "new discovery" that isn't listed in the guide. I really love finding stuff like this, maybe this is the only copy of this card which still exists (though its unlikely)!
I really love the design of these, the colorized portraits which show most of the player's body instead of just a headshot look great against the colorful background.
Both these guys are in the Hall of Fame. I've written about Betto before, but Aota is also interesting. He was a five time home run leader and at the time he retired in 1959 he held the career record for most home runs with a grand total of ......265. So slightly more career home runs than Pete Incaviglia? Well, the league was still pretty new at the time and his reign only lasted 4 years!
Very cool. Love the vivid colors on these and great new discovery!
ReplyDeleteMe too, and thanks!
DeleteLove the colorful bullseye backgrounds! I'd love to find me a pair of glasses like Betto.
ReplyDeleteThose would be cool glasses to have !
DeleteI just picked up that Aota card myself, as a 3-7/8 diameter menko. However, JRM 52 only lists cards 2-3/4 in diameter as part of this set. How big is your particular card?
ReplyDeleteOh that is interesting. I don't have a ruler that measures in inches handy (Japan - metric!) but I think mine is closer to 2 3/4 inches. Maybe they were issued in two sizes, that happened a lot with menko from the era, you might have made a new discovery there!
DeleteI have 2 Aota's that are 3-1/2" thats funny , we all got diff sizes. ps they are said to be found in 3 sizes... 2" , 2-3/4", and 3-1/2".... 3-7/8" one is interesting as that is not a known size.. aloha
Deletethese cards are strange, the 3-1/2" Aota is actually associated with the JRM26 Pinwheel cards, its found with them very often. On e just sold for $6 a couple days ago... Ive seen 4-5 of them in last couple months and own 2 of them.. the R4 is not right on Aota, its more of a R3 with prob 25 or more out there if not more... The Betto is far rarer ...PS they are all said to be R5 by Engel now, which is very wrong... they all exist in numbers greater than 5.... there are 6 total different cards in set, in 3 sizes w/ 5 dif players (Starffin is found in 2 sizes)
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