1947-66 Exhibits Jackie Robinson

[ullmandds]

I would not consider any of these to be a rookie. These were likely made over the decades, and while there are ways to differentiate the years, I do not believe any originate to his rookie year. I wonder if a type one image of this pose is known?

[SSinneDD]

Thank you for the help. Just came across these as well.

http://keymancollectibles.com/exhibitdatechart.htm
Per the measurement on the bottom right of my Jackie "MADE IN U.S.A., it's 5/8 inch which would be the 1948 copy.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=309843

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I would not consider any of these to be a rookie. These were likely made over the decades, and while there are ways to differentiate the years, I do not believe any originate to his rookie year. I wonder if a type one image of this pose is known?

+1 Agreed not a Rookie

[EddieP]

Whether it’s his rookie card or not, I think his Exhibits is his best looking card.

[SSinneDD]

Originally Posted by EddieP

Whether it’s his rookie card or not, I think his Exhibits is his best looking card.

It's a great looking card. By far one of my fav pickups.

[Exhibitman]

There is one thread on this board somewhere (couldn't find it) where there was an extended debate over this issue. Some of the better ESCO minds (or just the more obsessed ones) are here, so it is interesting reading. In a nutshell, the earliest remotely likely issue date is for the 1948 season because the company just did not do rookie cards, it did established player cards. Even the rookie cards in ESCO are cards of guys with some time in the majors. The most valuable, the 1925 Gehrig, was issued in Lou's 3rd season in the Bronx. He was promising but had only appeared in two dozen games before Pipp's headache. Add in the racial factor and there is just very little chance of a 1947 ESCO Robinson card. I'd say none, unless someone finds an uncut sheet or checklist card. 1948 printing is a real possibility. As for how long they ran, ESCO pretty much dumped guys when they left MLB, so Robinson's run was most likely 1948-1956.

I know it is a tangent, but Doby and Paige are a lot easier because both were in the 1949 print run, which can be seen from the "An Exhibit Card" imprint on them. Paige was dumped very quickly, so his card is shorter printed than Robinson and has only the 1949 version (my reporting otherwise was, I am sorry to say, wrong).

[SSinneDD]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

There is one thread on this board somewhere (couldn't find it) where there was an extended debate over this issue. Some of the better ESCO minds (or just the more obsessed ones) are here, so it is interesting reading. In a nutshell, the earliest remotely likely issue date is for the 1948 season because the company just did not do rookie cards, it did established player cards. Even the rookie cards in ESCO are cards of guys with some time in the majors. The most valuable, the 1925 Gehrig, was issued in Lou's 3rd season in the Bronx. He was promising but had only appeared in two dozen games before Pipp's headache. Add in the racial factor and there is just very little chance of a 1947 ESCO Robinson card. I'd say none, unless someone finds an uncut sheet or checklist card. 1948 printing is a real possibility. As for how long they ran, ESCO pretty much dumped guys when they left MLB, so Robinson's run was most likely 1948-1956.

I know it is a tangent, but Doby and Paige are a lot easier because both were in the 1949 print run, which can be seen from the "An Exhibit Card" imprint on them. Paige was dumped very quickly, so his card is shorter printed than Robinson and has only the 1949 version (my reporting otherwise was, I am sorry to say, wrong).

Appreciate the info. If you come across that older thread, please post here for me.

[Snowman]

Exhibits have some great photos, and they're fun to collect, but they're not baseball cards. Nothing wrong with collecting small posters, but I get the fingernails on a chalkboard feeling whenever someone refers to them as baseball cards.

[whiteymet]

Originally Posted by SSinneDD

Appreciate the info. If you come across that older thread, please post here for me.

Dennis:

Here is the thread Adam was referencing. You have to scroll down a bit to find where VintageHoarder tries to convince everyone that ALL the Mays Exhibits he purchased were indeed his true Rookie card. No amount of proof could convince him otherwise