1956 Dodgers World Series Portfolio Photos

[gonefishin]

I'm pretty familiar with team issued photo packs, but recently acquired a picture pack from 1956. It is referred to on several sites as the 1956 Dodgers World Series Portfolio by Jay Publishing. From what I understand, it was a collaboration on issuing a picture pack with photos from the Yankees and Dodgers represented with 25 players from each team.

I think what makes this pack pretty unique is it contains one of the earliest photos of Sandy Koufax sporting the Brooklyn logo. It also contained some other very interesting photos such as Robinson, Campanella, Snider, and what I believe to be the earliest team, or rookie photo, of Charlie Neal.

I also think the 25 player picture pack contained the same photo for 12 of the players issued with the 1955-57 picture pack.

I couldn't figure out why in the world it was referred to as a portfolio until I looked closely at the envelope (which I rarely do). I have attached a picture of the envelope and there lies the answer - it is referred to on the envelope as picture portfolio. The envelope also shows the logo of both the Dodgers and Yankees, although my Yankees logo in the picture is a little obscured by the Past and Present sticker.

While searching the PSA website and checking the pop report, it does not reflect a population for the 1956 WS set, and includes the portrait of Koufax in the 1955-57 set. Also, it doesn't reflect other players in the 56 set, such as Charlie Neal.

Can anyone provide any detailed information regarding this set? I don't know if it was sold at stadiums or was a mail in, etc. Also, if anyone can provide information on PSA population report it would be appreciated. I realize it would be hard in distinguishing the photos as several are the same as used in 55-57.

I'm considering having the entire set graded at one time and include the envelope so it would document a complete 56 Dodger WS team set.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from anyone

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

I'm pretty familiar with team issued photo packs, but recently acquired a picture pack from 1956. It is referred to on several sites as the 1956 Dodgers World Series Portfolio by Jay Publishing. From what I understand, it was a collaboration on issuing a picture pack with photos from the Yankees and Dodgers represented with 25 players from each team.

I couldn't figure out why in the world it was referred to as a portfolio until I looked closely at the envelope (which I rarely do). I have attached a picture of the envelope and there lies the answer - it is referred to on the envelope as picture portfolio. The envelope also shows the logo of both the Dodgers and Yankees, although my Yankees logo in the picture is a little obscured by the Past and Present sticker.

While searching the PSA website and checking the pop report, it does not reflect a population for the 1956 WS set, and includes the portrait of Koufax in the 1955-57 set. Also, it doesn't reflect other players in the 56 set, such as Charlie Neal.

Can anyone provide any detailed information regarding this set? I don't know if it was sold at stadiums or was a mail in, etc. Also, if anyone can provide information on PSA population report it would be appreciated. I realize it would be hard in distinguishing the photos as several are the same as used in 55-57.

I'm considering having the entire set graded at one time and include the envelope so it would document a complete 56 Dodger WS team set.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from anyone

This is very interesting.

I have the Yankee version of the "Past and Present" set. I've attached a photo of the envelope. I also have an incomplete 1956 World Series pack (it's missing 3 Dodgers - Robinson, Koufax, and Drysdale). I've attached a photo of it's envelope. I had never noticed the similarity before. I just took a flashlight to the "Past and Present" envelope and beneath the stickers, the text of the World Series pack appears.

Jay Publishing must have had a lot of the World Series packs that did not sell, so they added the stickers to remarket the packs as "Past and Present" packs. The WS packs would have been sold probably starting no earlier than October 1956. They were probably sold into early 1957. At which point, unsold WS packs were probably stickered and marketed as "Past and Present." This would mean that the PaP packs were sold no earlier than 1957. If my conjectures are correct.

So, even though the packs are identical, shouldn't the "Past and Present" packs be considered as separate from the World Series packs since they were marketed differently?

[gonefishin]

Very interesting and I agree with a lot of what you said. The photos have to be from 1956, regardless if sold in 56 or as your thought 57. I am beginning to believe the following:

50 card packs were sold featuring both the Yankees and Dodgers.

25 card packs were sold featuring either the Yankees or the Dodgers.

When demand diminished, they packaged the photos in the same envelope but added the Past and Present sticker and probably sold until there was little or demand (maybe through 57).

I have yet to see an envelope with a postal cancellation, but it would be interesting if they contained one.

I own 2 of the Dodger sets, and while the photos are of the same players there seems to be a slight difference in the lighter/darker print of the photos on a couple of the photos. That may be attributed to when it came off the press.

Thanks for the reply and observations.

[frankbmd]

Some day I'll get tired of owning this one. Hell, only 2 autographs.

[BuzzD]

I have the two sets together. The envelopes are glued back to back and I guess perhaps sold at the World Series like that. Bought it maybe in late 80s