In a thrilling turn of events for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a remarkable collection of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has been unearthed. These cards, still encased in their original brown packaging, represent a significant find within the hobby, particularly due to their untouched state. The discovery was made public through a social media post that showcased a vintage arcade machine, reminiscent of those that once dispensed these cards.
The news of this remarkable find reached Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional in the sports memorabilia industry, through a contact on the east coast. This contact, who had connections to the arcade business, had acquired the cards from Mike Munves in New York—an esteemed distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The revelation of these sealed packages, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, confirmed not only their authenticity but also their historical value.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a renowned Las Vegas-based memorabilia store and auction house, Mendel quickly arranged for the consignment of these treasures. The unopened brick packages are likely to contain multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, making them potentially worth thousands each due to their pristine, uncirculated condition. Additionally, the discovery 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, further enhancing the significance of this find.
The 1963 “stat back” cards are renowned for their red-printed career statistics, and their rarity is attributed to both their size and quality. While loose cards from this era and series aren’t uncommon, finding them in unopened vending packages is incredibly rare, with similar items fetching high prices on the collector’s market.
This extraordinary collection, comprising both the unopened brick packages and the loose cards, will soon be available for auction and has already attracted significant interest and bids. This auction not only presents a unique opportunity for collectors to own a piece of baseball history but also celebrates the nostalgia and excitement of baseball card collecting—an era when acquiring a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a vintage arcade machine.
For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, securing these items for auction is a remarkable achievement that shines a spotlight on the continuous allure and excitement of discovering rare sports memorabilia gems. Whether the winning bidders choose to open these packs or keep them sealed, the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike, honoring the legacy of baseball’s illustrious past.
