[Cliff Bowman]

On another thread asking about an MSA George Brett file photo I supplied a scan of an MSA product iron on transfer of George Brett, I just took for granted that it was a 1977 Quaker Oats issue because that's what I have seen them listed as before. But out of curiosity I did some googling on them and I don't think they are Quaker Oats or what else they are described as. I found them listed three ways, 1976 Mr. Softee, 1976 Quaker Ice Cream, and 1977 Quaker Oats. I don't believe any of the three are correct. PSA lists them as 1976 Mr. Softee for reasons unknown. Trading Card Database has them listed as 1976 Mr. Softee with a checklist of twelve players that could be either 1976 or 1977, but I found two unlisted players, Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver, and the Jackson proves that this is not a 1976 issue. Reggie Jackson is shown as a Yankee, he signed with them on November 29, 1976 so I would say without a doubt that puts these in 1977. I have no idea where the suspected origins of Mr. Softee, Quaker Ice Cream, or Quaker Oats came from, the iron-ons have just Quaker on them. I found an ad sheet on eBay from an iron on transfer company named Quaker that advertises rock stars, monsters, animals, and their logo matches the logo on the baseball iron on transfers perfectly. It's my opinion that these should be listed as 1977 Quaker Iron On Transfers. The known checklist is George Brett, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Randy Jones, Dave Kingman, Jerry Koosman, Fred Lynn, Joe Morgan, Thurman Munson, Amos Otis, Bill Russell, Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, Tom Seaver. Since Jackson is listed as a Yankee and Kingman and Seaver are listed as Mets that puts these in the early to mid 1977 range. I also found a couple of iron transfers of Don Gullett-Yankees and Joe Morgan-Reds but they are a little different format, and Quaker also made NBA iron transfers that are the same time period. If anyone can add more players or has a theory why they are described as Quaker Oats, Quaker Ice Cream or Mr. Softee please do.