December pickups

[Shoebox]

Shaun - Outstanding pick up on such a tough set!

Steve - Nice looking Giants! If I remember right the Mays and Koufax are short prints. Who are the last 4 you need?

[jb67]

Shaun a big time congrats on the Bond Bread Jackie Robinson. You are in rare air with that pickup.

Steve nice pickups with Topps Giants. How long have you been putting this set together?

Here is my one and only December pickup. Tried to go an entire month without a purchase but saw this nicely centered beauty and could not resist.

[brian1961]

Shaun, Congratulations on hunting down this pride of Bengal Tigers! Your last card looks dead-centered to me.

Would you please be so kind to share with us who hunger for information on what you know about this set?

A. How they were issued?

B. What was the distribution region for this rare regional?

C. What years they seemed to have been issued?

D. For the benefit of the uninformed, please relate to us the story of how the Bond Bread Company used the "common" portrait card, and why it is somewhat common today.

E. Any other savory tidbits that are not generally known?

Please come to the head of the class, Shaun. Your pupils are sitting at their computers eagerly awaiting with rapt attention for your responses.

---Brian Powell

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Shaun, Congratulations on hunting down this pride of Bengal Tigers! Your last card looks dead-centered to me.

Would you please be so kind to share with us who hunger for information on what you know about this set?

A. How they were issued?

B. What was the distribution region for this rare regional?

C. What years they seemed to have been issued?

D. For the benefit of the uninformed, please relate to us the story of how the Bond Bread Company used the "common" portrait card, and why it is somewhat common today.

E. Any other savory tidbits that are not generally known?

Please come to the head of the class, Shaun. Your pupils are sitting at their computers eagerly awaiting with rapt attention for your responses.

---Brian Powell

Brian, I'd be happy to give a little more info on the set. IMO, it's one of the most under-appreciated Post-War sets out there, and the overall difficulty level for completing the set is insanely high. I know of multiple individuals that have spent the better part of a decade attempting to complete the set without luck.

As I mentioned, even Spence needed 6 years to complete his first set (an that being with a larger bankroll than most of us).

There is still much to be known about the set. I did a bit of research with the help of Mike (71buc) and some other Net54 members last year. With my set nearing completion, I hope to finish my research this year.

A) As for how they were issued, there are two theories. The first is that they were issued in packages of bread. The second is that they were given to grocery stores to be distributed as promotional items, perhaps with the purchase of Bond Bread or affiliated products.

B) I believe that the distribution region extended beyond NYC as was originally thought. In my research, I found reference to the cards / Jackie's endorsement in multiple newspapers targeting the African-American community, including Baltimore and Pittsburgh. It should also be noted that I have communicated with various individuals who received the cards from their parents / grandparents after they passed, each of which believed their parents / grandparents to be the original owners. These individuals were from North Carolina, and New Orleans. As such, I have to believe that the distribution went well beyond NYC, and rather targeted African-American communities throughout the East Coast and Mideast.

C) For years, it was assumed that the cards were distributed only in 1947. However, Mike and I found evidence that that simply is not the case. Instead, we believe that they were issued in segments between 1947 and 1949 (or 1950). The Portrait was likely the test card and easily the most widely distributed. I believe the backs of the other cards are the best indicator we have regarding when each of the other cards were issued.

D) As mentioned previously, the portrait (facsimile sig) was more than likely the "litmus test" to determine how effective the cards would be in promoting the product. It is believed that they were given to bread deliverymen, and grocery store owners to be distributed to the general public to promote Bond Bread products to the African-American community. I believe that the card was distributed in October of 1947, likely just after the World Series. I believe it was the most widely distributed of the bunch, and that is why there are more available today.

E) I posted this thread about the set last year, and I will likely add to it at some point this year: http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=171169

2 other tidbits:

1) It wasn't until the 80s or 90s I believe that it was discovered that there were actually 13 cards in the set. (It was initially believed that there were between 10 and 12).

2) A few of the original photos used for the cards depict Robinson in a Montreal uniform. As such, it is a great example of photo-editing techniques in the late 40s.

All that being said, the sheer difficulty of the set makes it somewhat under-appreciated, as it takes a lot of time and patience to put the set together. It certainly takes more than a large bank account to complete the set, and I guess that is what makes it so alluring to me.

Thanks for asking again and giving me the opportunity to share what I know!

Shaun

[brian1961]

Shaun,

First off, I sincerely apologize for not commenting until today. I "was called away from my computer desk" to do some serious shopping with my wife and son. Anyways, I was so looking forward to your responses. My friend, you sure gave us a wonderful dissertation on this magnificent set.

Your "B" is stunning. Targeting African-American communities nationwide truly makes sense, as this was a major step which represented and greatly interested African-Americans throughout the USA. Thus, wherever Bond's distribution regions coincided with Black communities, those cards could have been given out.

Just a comment to substantiate "A": I was a student at Ball State University when the gorgeous 1977 Wonder Bread Stars Wars set was released. As this was the bread used by the dorm cafeteria, I had access to the loaves lying out to makes sandwiches. The Star Wars free prize card was lying in the poly bag with the bread. I helped myself to many a card while preparing peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch. My point is that the oil from the Wonder Bread would absorb into the card from the time it was packaged at the bakery, until the moment the consumer got to claim his free prize. Now, my memory on this next particular point is not as sharp, but can you verify this Shaun-----I DON'T SEEM TO RECALL ANY OF OUR SUBJECT LATE 40S BOND BREAD REGIONAL JACKIE ROBINSON CARDS BEING STAINED BY BREAD OIL, AND THEREFORE SUBJUGATED WITH THE DREADED QUALIFYER OF "ST".

USING SHERLOCK HOLMES ANALYSIS AND DEDUCTION, IF YOU CAN CONFIRM THE ABSENCE OF STAINED CARDS, THEN I WOULD DEDUCE YOUR "A" EITHER / OR ANSWER POINTS TO YOUR SECOND CHOICE----THE CARDS WERE GIVEN TO BREAD DELIVERYMEN, GROCERY STORE OWNERS, AND THEN FINALLY LOCATED AT THE CHECK-OUT STATION, WHEREUPON A CUSTOMER WOULD BE PRESENTED WITH A BOND BREAD JACKIE ROBINSON CARD WHEN THEY PURCHASED BOND BREAD.

[71buc]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Shaun,

First off, I sincerely apologize for not commenting until today. I "was called away from my computer desk" to do some serious shopping with my wife and son. Anyways, I was so looking forward to your responses. My friend, you sure gave us a wonderful dissertation on this magnificent set.

Your "B" is stunning. Targeting African-American communities nationwide truly makes sense, as this was a major step which represented and greatly interested African-Americans throughout the USA. Thus, wherever Bond's distribution regions coincided with Black communities, those cards could have been given out.

Just a comment to substantiate "A": I was a student at Ball State University when the gorgeous 1977 Wonder Bread Stars Wars set was released. As this was the bread used by the dorm cafeteria, I had access to the loaves lying out to makes sandwiches. The Star Wars free prize card was lying in the poly bag with the bread. I helped myself to many a card while preparing peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch. My point is that the oil from the Wonder Bread would absorb into the card from the time it was packaged at the bakery, until the moment the consumer got to claim his free prize. Now, my memory on this next particular point is not as sharp, but can you verify this Shaun-----I DON'T SEEM TO RECALL ANY OF OUR SUBJECT LATE 40S BOND BREAD REGIONAL JACKIE ROBINSON CARDS BEING STAINED BY BREAD OIL, AND THEREFORE SUBJUGATED WITH THE DREADED QUALIFYER OF "ST".

USING SHERLOCK HOLMES ANALYSIS AND DEDUCTION, IF YOU CAN CONFIRM THE ABSENCE OF STAINED CARDS, THEN I WOULD DEDUCE YOUR "A" EITHER / OR ANSWER POINTS TO YOUR SECOND CHOICE----THE CARDS WERE GIVEN TO BREAD DELIVERYMEN, GROCERY STORE OWNERS, AND THEN FINALLY LOCATED AT THE CHECK-OUT STATION, WHEREUPON A CUSTOMER WOULD BE PRESENTED WITH A BOND BREAD JACKIE ROBINSON CARD WHEN THEY PURCHASED BOND BREAD.

Great point about the stains. I recall that being an issue in the Wonder Bread football cards as well.

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by brian1961

Shaun,

First off, I sincerely apologize for not commenting until today. I "was called away from my computer desk" to do some serious shopping with my wife and son. Anyways, I was so looking forward to your responses. My friend, you sure gave us a wonderful dissertation on this magnificent set.

Your "B" is stunning. Targeting African-American communities nationwide truly makes sense, as this was a major step which represented and greatly interested African-Americans throughout the USA. Thus, wherever Bond's distribution regions coincided with Black communities, those cards could have been given out.

Just a comment to substantiate "A": I was a student at Ball State University when the gorgeous 1977 Wonder Bread Stars Wars set was released. As this was the bread used by the dorm cafeteria, I had access to the loaves lying out to makes sandwiches. The Star Wars free prize card was lying in the poly bag with the bread. I helped myself to many a card while preparing peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch. My point is that the oil from the Wonder Bread would absorb into the card from the time it was packaged at the bakery, until the moment the consumer got to claim his free prize. Now, my memory on this next particular point is not as sharp, but can you verify this Shaun-----I DON'T SEEM TO RECALL ANY OF OUR SUBJECT LATE 40S BOND BREAD REGIONAL JACKIE ROBINSON CARDS BEING STAINED BY BREAD OIL, AND THEREFORE SUBJUGATED WITH THE DREADED QUALIFYER OF "ST".

USING SHERLOCK HOLMES ANALYSIS AND DEDUCTION, IF YOU CAN CONFIRM THE ABSENCE OF STAINED CARDS, THEN I WOULD DEDUCE YOUR "A" EITHER / OR ANSWER POINTS TO YOUR SECOND CHOICE----THE CARDS WERE GIVEN TO BREAD DELIVERYMEN, GROCERY STORE OWNERS, AND THEN FINALLY LOCATED AT THE CHECK-OUT STATION, WHEREUPON A CUSTOMER WOULD BE PRESENTED WITH A BOND BREAD JACKIE ROBINSON CARD WHEN THEY PURCHASED BOND BREAD.

Brian,

Excellent points, and the idea of comparing stains of other bread issued cards is brilliant.

That being said, might be this be considered a oil stain from bread?:



Not as apparent, but this card also has some light discoloration in spotty areas:

This lot also has a few cards demonstrating stains (this lot included both the cards above). It should be noted that the Leland's description states that they were packaged with the bread, though provides no other details. http://www.lelands.com/auction/Aucti...Cards-%2813%29

Aside from those stained cards, the majority of Bond Bread cards that I have seen have lacked spot stains. I have seen a few that have demonstrated toning. I plan to compare stains from the Wonder Bread Star Wars and Football issues to see how the stains from these cards match up. I also plan to go back and research many of the Bond Bread issues I've seen to pay closer attention to any stains that might be there, but not so obvious.

Because all of the stained cards above come from the same collection, it is possible that the staining took place after the fact while in LaRocca's possession. There have been tales of bread delivery drivers giving out the most common portrait card to kids, and the majority of those stained in the lot were that same portrait card.

Typing this out has made me realize that Sal LaRocca might hold many of the answers that we are looking for... time to send a few emails I guess.

** Update **

I didn't want to add another post to this thread, as I don't want to disrupt the pickups thread (and I'll likely end up writing an article of some sort this year once my research has been completed), but after going over my research, it looks like the endorsement deal was announced October 11, 1947. I believe it was Jackie's first endorsement deal, as Branch Rickey had strictly prohibited any endorsement deal negotiations on Jackie's behalf, as he knew Jackie would have enough to deal with during his first year in the Bigs.

He would soon sign another endorsement deal with Old Gold Cigarettes (despite the fact that Robinson never smoked), and Borden's Evaporated Milk.

I believe the Bond Bread set (along with the advertising posters) represents the first endorsement deal by an African-American baseball player.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Like I told my wife after it was already done, I really didn't mean to or plan on it, it just happened. I have been thinking about building '65 Topps along with the '53 Bowman Color I am working on. I stumbled on to several nice '65s, including most of the high number short prints, some stars, minor stars, checklists, and league leader cards and the next thing I knew, I had right at half the set. Most of them are about like these. Some have more corner wear or the centering might not be quite as spot on, but really nice overall. One of the best buys I have gotten in a long time.

[CW]

These aren't stained, but I just thought this thread needed some Wonder Bread Star Wars cards (these being from my childhood)...

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Like I told my wife after it was already done, I really didn't mean to or plan on it, it just happened. I have been thinking about building '65 Topps along with the '53 Bowman Color I am working on. I stumbled on to several nice '65s, including most of the high number short prints, some stars, minor stars, checklists, and league leader cards and the next thing I knew, I had right at half the set. Most of them are about like these. Some have more corner wear or the centering might not be quite as spot on, but really nice overall. One of the best buys I have gotten in a long time.

Love that '65 set! Nice pick up!

[CharleyBrown]

Originally Posted by jb67

Shaun a big time congrats on the Bond Bread Jackie Robinson. You are in rare air with that pickup.

Steve nice pickups with Topps Giants. How long have you been putting this set together?

Here is my one and only December pickup. Tried to go an entire month without a purchase but saw this nicely centered beauty and could not resist.

Beautiful centering on that Mays!

[39special]

Originally Posted by Shoebox

Shaun - Outstanding pick up on such a tough set!

Steve - Nice looking Giants! If I remember right the Mays and Koufax are short prints. Who are the last 4 you need?

Thanks guys.The last 4 I need are Dick Stuart,Wayne Causey,Galen Cisco and Bill Skowron.
I started putting it together about 6 months ago.