In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a collection of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit baseball cards has recently emerged from the depths of time. These cards, still sealed within their original brown packaging, represent a truly unique and significant find within the hobby, especially considering their untouched state. The discovery was made public through a social media post that featured a vintage arcade machine, reminiscent of the machines that were once used to dispense these remarkable cards.
The news of this discovery was met with astonishment by industry veteran Bill Mendel, a seasoned professional in the sports memorabilia industry. Mendel learned of the find from a contact on the east coast, who had connections to the arcade business and had acquired the cards from Mike Munves, a well-known distributor and repairer of arcade machines in New York during the 1950s and 60s. The revelation that these sealed packages still bore Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address only served to confirm their authenticity and historical value.
Representing Memorabilia Experts, a renowned memorabilia store and auction house based in Las Vegas, Mendel quickly took charge of arranging the consignment of these extraordinary treasures. It is believed that these unopened bricks, which likely contain multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could be worth thousands of dollars each, given their pristine and uncirculated condition. Additionally, the discovery included a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, among them ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and other baseball legends, making this find even more exceptional.
The 1963 Exhibit “stat back” cards, known for their career statistics printed in red, are highly sought after due to their rarity, size, and overall quality. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, finding them still sealed in unopened vending packages is exceptionally rare, and similar items have been known to fetch high prices on the collector’s market.
This magnificent collection, comprising both the unopened bricks and the loose cards, is now set for auction and has already garnered significant interest and received numerous bids. The upcoming auction not only presents a unique opportunity for passionate collectors to acquire these incredible relics but also serves as a celebration of the history and nostalgia associated with baseball card collecting. It harkens back to a simpler time when acquiring a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine and hoping for a special, unexpected treasure.
For Bill Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, successfully securing these items for auction represents a remarkable achievement, shining a spotlight on the ongoing allure and excitement of discovering hidden sports memorabilia gems. The decision of whether these cards will be opened or kept sealed ultimately rests in the hands of the winning bidders, but the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike. It is a celebration of the enduring legacy of baseball’s past and a thrilling glimpse into a bygone era.