In a thrilling twist for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a trove of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has recently come to light. These cards, still encased in their original brown packaging, are a remarkable find within the hobby, considering their untouched state. The discovery was first revealed through a captivating social media post showcasing a vintage arcade machine that used to dispense these cards with anticipation.
Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional in the sports memorabilia industry, was astounded when he heard about this discovery from a contact on the east coast. The contact had ties 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 in New York. The confirmation of the sealed packages, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, further cemented their authenticity and historical value.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a reputable Las Vegas-based memorabilia store and auction house, Mendel wasted no time in arranging for the consignment of these remarkable pieces. These unopened bricks are likely to contain multiple complete sets of the 64-card series and, given their pristine, uncirculated condition, each could be worth thousands of dollars. The haul also included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, among which were ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and other legendary baseball players, adding to the extraordinary nature of this find.
The 1963 “stat back” cards are known for their red-printed career statistics and are considered rare due to their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, finding them in unopened vending packages is exceptionally rare, with similar items commanding high prices on the collector’s market.
This extensive collection, which includes both the unopened bricks and the loose cards, is scheduled for auction and has already sparked significant interest and bidding. The auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire these unique pieces of sports memorabilia, while also pay homage to the history and nostalgia of baseball card collecting, transporting us back to a time when acquiring a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine.
Securing these items for auction is a major accomplishment for Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, shedding light on the enduring fascination and excitement of discovering sports memorabilia treasures. Whether the winning bidders choose to open the packs or preserve them in their sealed state, the mere existence of these cards, unaltered and still in their original packaging, is a victory for both collectors and historians, celebrating the enduring legacy of baseball’s illustrious past.
