In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a treasure trove of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has recently been unearthed. These cards, still preserved in their original brown packaging, bring significant excitement to the hobby due to their untouched state. The discovery became public knowledge after a vintage arcade machine, reminiscent of the ones that dispensed these cards, was featured in a social media post.
Bill Mendel, an experienced professional in the sports memorabilia industry, expressed his astonishment upon learning about the discovery from an associate on the east coast. The associate had connections to the arcade business and had acquired the cards from Mike Munves, a well-known distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The existence of sealed packages, bearing Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, confirmed the authenticity and historical value of these finds.
Mendel, representing Memorabilia Experts, a prominent memorabilia store and auction house based in Las Vegas, swiftly arranged for the consignment of these remarkable artifacts. The unopened bricks, likely containing multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could fetch thousands of dollars each due to their immaculate, uncirculated condition. The haul also included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, among them ten Hank Aaron cards, ten Willie Mays cards, nine Mickey Mantle cards, and several other iconic baseball legends, making this discovery even more extraordinary.
The 1963 “stat back” cards, characterized by career statistics printed in red, are highly sought after due to their scarcity and quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, finding them still enclosed in unopened vending packages is incredibly rare, with similar items fetching significant prices on the collector’s market.
This collection, comprising both the unopened bricks and the loose cards, is now scheduled for auction and has already attracted substantial interest and bids. The upcoming auction not only presents a unique opportunity for collectors but also celebrates the history and nostalgia of baseball card collecting, evoking a bygone era 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 notable achievement, highlighting the enduring allure and thrill of unearthing sports memorabilia gems. Whether the packs will be opened or kept sealed remains a decision for the winning bidders, but the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike, honoring the legacy of baseball’s glorious past.
In conclusion, the emergence of the unopened 1963 Exhibit baseball cards has caused a stir within the sports memorabilia community. This rare find offers collectors a chance to own a piece of baseball history while also reigniting the nostalgia associated with the hobby. As the auction approaches, anticipation builds as enthusiasts and historians eagerly await the next chapter in this remarkable story of rediscovered treasures.
