The
following information comes from page 90 of the book "Exhibit and
Related Sports Arcade Cards" by Adam S. Warshaw. Mr. Warshaw is
considered the AUTHORITY when it comes to Exhibit cards.
**In
1948, the ESCO company issued a 32 card set in Black and White called
"Sports Champions". Later that year, the same set was issued in
Green tint with White card stock. Then in 1949, 14 of the cards
were swapped out for other athletes, Ben Hogan being one of these.
The 1949 set was only issued with a Blue tint on White cardstock.
So the only Ben Hogan Exhibit card was issued with a Blue tint.
However, the Blue tint is usually so dark that the card appears
Black and White. These 1949 cards are the most difficult to find
and usally command a price premium when purchasing.**
**Printing
plates of all of the cards where made of zinc then attached to wooden
blocks. Not very many have ever appeared. The plates then
generated "Proof Sheets".**
I consider the 1949 Ben Hogan Exhibit card to be the "TRUE" Ben Hogan ROOKIE card. It is from an established set and is the FIRST known card of Ben Hogan. There is some debate as to whether the 1951 Ben Hogan "Berk Ross" card is his rookie card, however. |
