Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>This set was listed in the Sugar "Bible" (and possibly the ACC) as F-338. I no longer have access to those books. Can anyone provide the information found therein? I believe there were 4-6 Indians listed in the Bible checklist, but don't recall a physical description. Does the ACC list the set? Any description? How about the old Johnny Sterling catalog?<br /><br />I wanted to list this set in the Standard Catalog for over 20 years, but never had a photo. Before this weekend I had never seen one, not even in the big auctions. <br /><br />Here's why I ask now . . . At SportsFest I saw a Larry Doby labeled SALEM'S POTATO CHIPS / F-338 / 1955-56. It was being sold by a long-time dealer in vintage cards, and one of the hobby's good guys. He told me the card had come from the collection of, and been attributed by, Dick Dobbins.<br /><br />But, for the life of me, I can't see any difference between this putative Salem's "card" and the 1948 (and possibly other years) Cleveland Indians picture pack 6-1/2" x 9" of Doby. Sepia-ish portrait on cream sotck, blank-blank, facsimile autograph, etc.<br /><br />Any thoughts?

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Red</b><p>Bible #3 page 88 6 1/2 by 9, with a note that says they can't be distinguished from team issued cards.<br /><br />Stirling lists two years 1955, 1956, and says identical to team issue.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>Then I gotta wonder on what basis Dick Dobbins labeled this an F-388. While the Indians switched to a more glossy stock in 1951 and a 6" x 8-3/4" size for team photo packs in their last year (1954), any of the players who were still there from circa 1948-50 would seem to be indistinguishable betwen the common team-issue and the "ultra-rare" Salem's. <br /><br />I did question why a large-format "card" would have been a potato chip premium; i.e., how were they actually issued.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Hey Bob, I don't know much about the Indians potato chip cards, but I recently stumbled across some potato chip cards that I think may have been largely unknown in the hobby and considering they both have staple holes at the top I assume they were stapled to the top of the bag.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Art M.</b><p>Here is the description from the American Card Catalog (Burdick)<br />page 105.<br /><br />F338 - BB Cards, Cleve. 1955-6, 6 x 9, B&W, as club issue, Salem Pot. Chips.<br />Priced at .10 cents.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Rob D.</b><p>Bob,<br /><br />It was at the Cincinnati show in either 1978 or '79, and I was at a dealer's table picking out some regionals of Indians (DanDees, Red Hearts, etc.). He asked me whether I was interested in a Salem Potato Chip (of a common player who I can't remember). I was pretty excited, because I'd never seen one but recalled seeing them listed in a few guides.<br /><br />When he pulled out a photo-pack picture with a Salem's stamp on the back, I was crushed, simply because it wasn't what I expected. I passed on it, now knowing I wouldn't see another one offered during the next three decades. Did the one you saw this past weekend have a Salem's stamp on the reverse, because this one did. It immediately brought to mind the 1950 Num Num Potato Chips issue, which are simply the team-issue photos with a black stamp on the back.<br /><br />As much as I love the <a href="http://www.48tribe.com/1952numnumset.htm">1952 Num Nums</a>, I'm pretty cool on the 1950 issue (along with what's considered the Salem's) just because to me they seem like a repackaged imitation.<br /><br />Mike Mosier of <a href="http://www.columbiacitycollectibles.com/menu/baseball/inventory%201950-1959_1.html">Columbia City Collectibles</a> has two similar items, one of Luke Easter and the other of Dale Mitchell, which are described as "1952 Fleet Wing Gas cards." They're described as "6x9/thin stock/hand stamped," which to me translates as photo pack pictures that a business turned into a promotional product thanks to the aid of a hand stamp.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Rob

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>[IMG]<img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/goldflamedpt/Custom%20Card%20Creations%201955%20style/eBay%20stuff/SalemsDoby.jpg">[/IMG]<br />

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>In the u-l corner on back is scripted in pencil "Indians". At l-l corner is a more lightly pencilled F-338 (presumably by Dobbins). <br /><br />I WAS expecting to see a back stamp ala the Num Nums.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Rob D.</b><p>Bob,<br /><br />If I'm reading your posts correctly and judging by the front of the photo, there is nothing -- except for the hand-written notations on the reverse -- to distinguish the Doby from being anything other than a common picture-pack photo, correct?<br /><br />You'd think there would be <i>something</i> tangible that would have prompted the notations that this is indeed a Salem's Potato Chip card.

Salem's Potato Chips Indians
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>My only thought on a possible distinguishing feature is the "Indians" scripted on back in pencil. Why would anyone need to add the team name? Even if that WAS a Salem's "mark" it would be too easy to fake to be a useful diagnostic. <br /><br />If you saw a back stamp years ago, that must be what sets the Salem apart.<br /><br />Too bad we can't channel Dick Dobbins via Oujia board.