Help with a 1953 Topps Baseball Poster...

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Posted By: Jeff Shepherd

I took a chance on this a while back. Pics were poor on Ebay, and there were several other repros floating around the net at that time. When I received it, I compared it to another Topps-issued poster in my collection from 1949 - this one advertising Bazooka Gum. They were both printed on similar thinner poster stock, and had unused glue strips on both sides, reminiscent of an envelope.

No doubt it's legitimate - I was just hoping someone had some info on it. I know it was more than likely issued to store owners and retailers to promote the 1953 Topps Baseball card set. Possibly found within the actual boxes or shipping cases of cards. I can't imagine it being a common item - does anyone remember a legitimate copy coming up for sale, and if so a rough price?

I've included a pic of the poster, as well as the Bazooka poster issued four years prior, and a comparison of both reverses showing the glue strips. Hope this info helps if you ever find yourself presented with one. Thanks in advance!

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Posted By: David Davis

Although I don't have a copy of the picture, I recall someone posting a great photo of a 1952 or 1953 Topps Baseball Card Display in a department or drug store; I believe it was in The Bronx. There were what seemed to be 100's of unopened boxes stacked in a display, with signs, etc. If someone has a copy of it, maybe they could post it.

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Posted By: Anthony

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Posted By: Jeff Shepherd

I've seen a few store display photos pop up - the first here sold through Leland's a while back. The 2nd I picked up somewhere, and if you look closely you can see a few boxes of cards scattered (I've provided closeup shots).

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

I've seen the 53 ad piece before and will try to dig my reference out later tonite. I love those old photos, wish they were in color!

That 52 display is important as Topps forged a relationship with Woolworth's when the 52' were issued. They had subway and radio ads (I assume newpaper ads as well)that mentioned you could get the cards at Woolworth's. The 52's were more of a product launch than just your average set of cards would have had.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Cannot locate the reference to the 53 ad piece. I thought it was in an old BB Cards Mag article but no go. I have definitely seen that one before though, will keep looking as time permits.

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Posted By: bobw

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Posted By: Jeff Shepherd

Thanks Dave - would love to see it if it turns up. Great color-restoration bobw! Even has that pastel look reminiscent of old colorized movies.

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Posted By: Bob Lemke

While I no longer have access to a run of Baseball Cards magazines back issues, I believe the 1953 poster may have been included in one of the first 5-6 issues as part of a photo feature on good stuff from Bill Bossert's collection. I was going to add it to the Standard Catalog a few edtions back but lost the picture that would have run with it.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Bob-that may be the answer. I was looking at covers and it must have been on the inside. That was such a great magazine in the early 80's, the first issue is what got me into the hobby way back in the Winter of 1981.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Still no luck but I did find this in issue #1 (sorry Bob):

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Posted By: Al

Rollie Lemke ?

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Posted By: Bob Lemke

Well, that brings back memories. We spent a Saturday afternoon stuffing a bunch of fat, old magazine guys into doubleknit high school baseball jerseys.

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Posted By: Jeff Shepherd

Is that a Staten Island hat, or a "half-money" sign?

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Posted By: Paul S

Southpaw!

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Does it stand for "Iola Softball'?

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Posted By: Bob Lemke

Scandinavia is a small (260+/- souls) town located four miles south of Iola. We have a joint school district and the official name of the high school is Iola-Scandinavia.

Doug Watson, who was my "partner" in the Krause sports division in the early days has resided in Scandy for about 40 years now. Some of you may remember him as a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and memorabilia collector.

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Posted By: larry

Hi Bob
can you recall why or how the 63 mantle mask was listed as being an offer on high series 63 wrapper
also punchout checklist?
grote gibson,campaneris,macmillan and brooks robinson
no one has ever seen those players?
where did checklist come from if you recall
thanks
larry

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Posted By: Bob Lemke

Sorry to report I have no specific recollection of the items about which you inquire. If I still had access to my file copies of older editions of the catalog I could tell whether the information was added to the original listings and about when.

Don Fluckinger don@prospecthillpub.com has created a blog for specific inquiries about the catalog and might be able to help.

Bob