Circa 1950 Japanese Menko Baseball Uncut Sheet Collection (4)

Sold For:

$450

Year:

1950

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

1149

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

Fascinating and substantial collection of uncut sheets originating from "The Land of The Rising Sun." Japan was one of the first foreign countries in which the American game of baseball became extremely popular. That fact led to the production of numerous baseball card issues featuring all the great stars of the day from Japan. Starting in approximately 1930, numerous sets of cards of various styles were issued in Japan, some very similar in design to sets issued in America, and some others very distinctive in design. Presented here are four circa-1950 uncut Menko sheets, consisting mostly of baseball players, including Japanese baseball Hall of Famers Bessho, Betto, Fujimura, Kawakami, Mihara, Nishizawa, and Sugishita. Menko discs were designed to be used in a children's game that involved throwing the cards. As such, high-grade examples and uncut sheets are particularly prized. This collection consists of the following: 1) Circa 1949-1950 Green and Red Stripes (5 inches diameter discs) uncut sheet: Includes twenty-four large discs and twenty smaller (2 inches diameter) discs. Condition is Very Good to Excellent with scattered surface wrinkles. The thin surface layer does not completely cover the cardboard backing (thin gaps at the edges), and small portions of the eight discs on right and left edges are missing due to the cut. Dimensions: 21-3/4 x 29-3/4 inches. 2) Circa 1949-1950 Green and Red Stripes (2-3/4 inches diameter discs) uncut sheet: Includes eighty-four discs and twelve smaller (1-5/8 inches diameter) generic or nonsport discs. Six different baseball players are represented. Very Good to Excellent condition due to normal edge and corner wear, along with light, scattered surface wrinkles. The thin surface layer does not completely cover the cardboard backing (thin gaps at the edges), and small portions of the six nonsport discs on the right edge are missing due to the cut. 3) Circa 1949-1950 Green and Red Stripes (2-3/8 inches diameter discs) uncut sheet: Includes 120 discs, 21 of which are incomplete due to the cut. Four different players are represented. Presenting as Very Good to Excellent condition, technically lower grade due to paper loss to the cardboard at the bottom and right edges. The thin surface layer does not completely cover the cardboard backing. Dimensions: 21-1/2 x 29-3/4 inches. 4) Circa 1949-1950 Baseball and Nonsports (1-1/2 inches diameter discs) uncut paper sheet: This sheet is only the thin paper surface layer, with no cardboard backing. Includes 300 discs and 31 smaller discs (only the top portions visible) along the bottom edge. Includes fifty-six baseball discs of two different players. Very Good to Excellent condition due to normal edge and corner wear, along with light, scattered surface wrinkles. Dimensions: 21 x 31 inches. Superb collection of rarely seen Japanese Menko baseball uncut sheets, ideal for framing and display. Total: 4 sheets. The substantial size/weight of this item requires that there will be a shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).