1947-66 Exhibits Baseball Proof Sheet w George Kell, Ralph Kiner, Monte Irvin RC

Description: An original 1947-66 Exhibit Proof Sheet from the factory in Chicago. 1951 ("51" circled in blue) is the indicated manufacturing date on the right edge. Featured on the sheet are George Kell, Andy Pafko, Ralph Kiner, and Monte Irvin. The sheet (made of heavy-stock paper) was used as a proof shortly before the full production process. Other single cut proof cards are known but uncut sheets such as this one, appear to be singular (unique) factory file copies. The condition is above average with some light stress lines throughout and a horizontal fold (not a crease) that traverses the sheet horizontally but does not break the surface. Several of the corners have some light creasing. There are also two staple holes near the top of the sheet and some minor damage along the right edge. This proof sheet is historically significant for two reasons: 1. It includes the earliest "rookie card" of Monte (spelled "Monty") Irvin and uses a 1949 photo of him while he was with the Jersey City Giants of the International League. Irvin led the league in batting that year with a robust .373 average. The following season (1950), he batted .300 for the New York Giants, earning him his first baseball card (an exhibit). The Exhibit Supply Company rarely made "rookie cards" of players relative to the other major baseball card manufacturers, but given Irvin's distinguished Negro and Mexican League career, it is fitting that his card made its way into ESCO's 1951 set. 2. Ralph Kiner's exhibit proof is marked with the notation, "out by request," perhaps suggesting that the player's card was pulled from production in 1951, making it short-printed compared to some of the others that were printed in the same series.

Price: 6000 USD

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

End Time: 2025-01-17T07:28:32.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD