Exhibit card oddity or ?

[Exhibitman]

I picked up this item in a collection. I cannot explain it, but since I collect odd stuff I found it appealing. The characteristics are:

--First-generation print: I put it under magnification and it definitely is not a rescreened copy of an Exhibit card. I happened to have a counterfeit Hodges that I was able to compare side by side and the difference was stark. I also compared it side by side with a genuine card and the print pattern is the same.

--Slick white stock: But not the thin paper slicks that are characteristic of the pieces made for pasting to machine displays or the proofs I have handled from the era. Those are all printed on normal thickness paper. This is definitely card stock, just thinner than the stock used for actual cards. It most resembles a postcard stock.

--Oversized: Its dimensions are 5 9/16" x 3 1/2"; standard exhibits are around 1/4" shorter and 3/16" narrower. As you can see from the scans, the image takes up the full breadth and height of the card, so it is actually printed larger than the standard card.

--Irregular borders: All look to me to be handcut.

--Blank back.

I am posting a scan of the whole card as well as a large scan of the name and Printed in USA at bottom so you can better see the printing pattern.

Anyone got any ideas?

[ALR-bishop]

Neat item Adam....whatever it is

[savedfrommyspokes]

A post card is 4x6...could this be a post card that had a white border and someone trimmed it down. I know you mention the back is blank, are J.D. McCarthy postcards typically blank backed?

[David W]

Maybe the "header" card in the vending machine many exhibits were sold out of?

[Rickyy]

It's almost like the reverse of 1975 Topps... going from small to larger... it definitely looks like a regular issue cut out from an sheet. Darn you ESCO more mysteries! and

Ricky Y

[Zach Wheat]

Could it be a blank backed large PC? You're the man for Exhibits Adam. If you don't know we are in trouble.