In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a remarkable find has come to light – a collection of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards. These cards, still encased in their original brown packaging, represent an extraordinary discovery within the hobby, particularly due to their untouched state. News of the find was made public through a social media post that displayed a vintage arcade machine, similar to the ones that used to dispense these prized cards.
The news took the sports memorabilia industry by storm, and Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional in the field, was left astounded upon hearing about the discovery from a contact on the east coast. This contact, who had connections to the arcade business, had obtained the cards from Mike Munves in New York, a renowned distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The confirmation of the cards’ authenticity and historical significance came with the revelation of the sealed packages, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a prominent Las Vegas-based memorabilia store and auction house, Mendel swiftly arranged for the consignment of these valuable treasures. The unopened bricks, which likely contain multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could fetch thousands of dollars each given their immaculate, uncirculated condition. Adding to the extraordinary nature of the find, the haul also included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, featuring ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and other esteemed baseball legends.
The 1963 “stat back” cards, known for their red-printed career statistics, are a rarity due to their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series may not be uncommon, discovering them in unopened vending packages is exceedingly rare, with similar items commanding high prices on the collector’s market.
This extraordinary collection, comprising both the unopened bricks and loose cards, is now set to go up for auction and has already piqued significant interest and attracted numerous bids. This auction not only offers collectors a unique opportunity but also celebrates the history and nostalgia of baseball card collecting, transporting us back to a time when obtaining a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine.
For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, securing these items for auction represents a major accomplishment, shedding light on the ongoing allure and excitement surrounding the unearthing of sports memorabilia gems. Whether the winning bidders choose to open the packs or keep them sealed remains to be seen, but the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike, as it pays homage to the enduring legacy of baseball’s past.
