Exhibits - 1939-46 Salutations - 1948 HOF - 1947-66 - 1962 Stat Back Black - 1962 Stat Back Red - 1963 Stat Backs - 1974 and later
1939-46 Exhibits Salutations (any)
LL = "Made in USA" in Lower Left LR = "Made in USA" in Lower Right
Averill (Very Best Wishes)
Boydreau (9/16, 9.8 mm from top of hat to shoe flap)
Dean (Sincerely)
DiMaggio (MADE IN U. S. A., right, 3/4)
Gehrig (Sincerely)
Hartnett (Cordially)
Holmes (Sincerely Yours)
Klein (Yours Truly)
Kreevich (Sincerely)
Lombardi (Cordially)
Lombardi (MADE IN U. S. A., right, 3/4)
Mulcahy (Cordially)
Newson (error, Very Best Wishes)
Walters (Sincerely Yours, MADE IN U. S. A.. right, 3/4)
1948 Hall of Fame (any)
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Ty Cobb
Mickey Cochrane
Hugh Duffy
Lou Gehrig
Lefty Grove
Walter Johnson
Nap Lajoie
Babe Ruth (swinging)
Babe Ruth (with bats)
George Sisler
Rube Waddell
Honus Wagner
Ed Walsh
Cy Young
1947-66 Exhibits (any)
Aaron - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - 0.7 cm from shoe to "Printed" - MIL
Aaron - 64,65 - Printed in U.S.A. - 11/16 - tan - - MIL
Ashburn - 51 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - tan - Dark Border Ritchie - PHI
Ashburn - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - C on cap - CHC
Bailey - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - C on cap - CIN
Banks - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - with bats - black name - CHC
Bauer - 59 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - NY on hat "Printed" starts under "r" of Bauer - NYY
Berra Y - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Portrait - NYY
Boudreau - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46-7 10 cm from top of hat to shoe flap - CLE
Boyer - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - STL
Brandt - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - BAL
Brewer - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - BOS
Brissie - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD -
Bruton - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - smaller 11.3 cm from top of hat to sock arch - MIL
Casey - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - - BRO
Cepeda - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - portrait - SF
Clemente - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - PIT
Colavito - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Portrait - Detroit shows - DET
Coleman J - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - b/w only - - NYY
Crandall - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - A. centered under shoe - MIL
Daley - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - KC
Dark - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD BOS(N) - BOS (N)
DiMaggio J - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 9/16 - b/w only - - NYY
Dropo - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - BOS
Feller - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46,47 12.5 cm top of hat to top of shoe - CLE
Fox - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - "Printed" starts under "x" of Fox - CHW
Fox - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - "Printed" starts under "x" of Fox - CHW
Groat - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - PIT
Groat - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - PIT
Groth - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - DET
Henrich - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - NYY
Holmes - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD Yours truly - BOS (N)
Howard E - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - "in" in shoe - NYY
Killebrew - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Batting - no logo on cap - MIN
Kluzewski - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Plain (Kluszewski) -
Kuenn - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Plain cap -
Logan - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - "Printed" starts under "L" of "Logan" - MIL
Majeski - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - PHI (A)
Mantle - 66 - Printed in U.S.A. - 11/16 - tan - portrait - NYY
Mays - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Portrait - SF
McDaniel - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - STL
Moon - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - LAD
Pafko - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - C on cap Yours truly - CHC
Pesky - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - BOS
Rizzuto - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD 11.5 cm top of hat to bottom of shoe - NYY
Roberts - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Black name - PHI
Robinson J - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - - BRO
Score - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Plain hat -
Simmons - 58 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Uniform shadow through U. - PHI
Snider - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - LA on cap - LAD
Stanky - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - Giants - NYG
Stephens - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - Batting -
Thomas F - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Cubs C on cap - CHC
Thomson - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD - NYG
Wehmeier - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - b/w only - - CIN
Williams T - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46-7 image 11.9 cm top of hat to bottom of "W" - BOS
Williams T - 57,58 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - larger than 48-52 image "Printed" under half shoe - BOS
Williams T - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - larger than 48-52 image "Printed" under entire shoe - BOS
Team - Dodgers - 53 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - 1952 -
Team - Yankees - 53 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - 1952 -
Team - Yankees - 57 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - 1956
1962 Exhibits Stat Back (Black) (GD)
Hank Aaron
Ernie Banks
Larry "Yogi" Berra
Norm Cash
Roberto Clemente
Dick Groat
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Jim Landis
Frank Malzone
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Wally Moon
Warren Spahn
1962 Exhibits Stat Back (Red) (GD)
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks
Larry "Yogi" Berra
Ken Boyer
Lew Burdette
Norm Cash
Orlando Cepeda
Roberto Clemente
Whitey Ford
Nellie Fox
Tito Francona
Jim Gentile
Al Kaline
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Art Mahaffey
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Wally Moon
Stan Musial
Milt Pappas
Vada Pinson
Warren Spahn
1963 Exhibits Stat Back (GD)
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks
Earl Battey
Ken Boyer
Norm Cash
Orlando Cepeda
Tom Cheney
Roberto Clemente
Rocky Colavito
Choo Choo Coleman
Don Drysdale
Nellie Fox
Jim Gentile
Don Hoak
Frank Howard
Al Kaline
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Art Mahaffey
Frank Malzone
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Vada Pinson
Frank Robinson
Norm Siebern
Billy Williams
Maury Wills
A few words on post-1966 Exhibit cards
A lot of people overlook these cards as simply reprints of previous cards, and many of the cards that were released in the 1970s-1980 are, though some have cropping variations from previously released cards. There are a few players that have new poses along with the first and only appearance of Lou Brock on an Exhibit card. For these series you will find projection differences to a completely new cropping of previous issues. I'll expand on this later and it's up to you to decide if these are reprints of a previous issue or a new card. Unlike those up until 1966, almost all of the cards issued during this time have white backs.
1974 Baseball Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits (24 cards)
This issue reprints 24 of the 32 '1948' Hall of Fame Exhibit cards and they come printed in black, brown, and blue tinted inks. The cards are exactly the same as the 1948 issue but have a white back. These can be the toughest to tell apart from the originals, especially when the 1974 issue was stored poorly and starts to brown, although they will fluoresce under a black light whereas the 1948s will not.
1977 Baseball Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits (32 cards)
This issue uses the same 'Greek Column' style as the 1948 and 1974 issue. Some of the same players are included here as well, however they appear as a larger projection on the card. The easiest way to tell is that a different 'teletype' font is used and they do not contain the "AN EXHIBIT CARD" statement at the bottom of the card. You will also find Hall of Famers that were not previously included (Gehringer, Ott, etc) along with newer players (Mantle, Campanella, etc), and curiously Alvin Dark. This set is also printed with a black, brown, or blue tinted ink.
1980 Hall of Fame Exhibits (32 cards)
The easiest way to recognize this issue is from "An Exhibit Card 1980 Hall of Fame" printed on the bottom of the card. These come with a sepia, red, or blue 'wash' on the entire card. They generally have white backs, but I have some with 'cardboard' backs as well. I do believe the cardboard backs are legit as the have the same high quality printing. All the cards have the plain '47-66 style fronts. Some come with Salutations and some do not (in some cases, those previously released with a Salutation have had the Salutation removed). Those printed from the 1948 HOF issue have a much larger projection since the Greek columns no longer appear. There may be slight cropping differences as well. The list of players and the source cards are as follows (source in parentheses):
Grover Cleveland Alexander (1948 HOF)
Lou Boudreau (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely)
Roger Bresnahan (1948 HOF)
Roy Campanella (47-66)
Frank Chance (1948 HOF)
Ty Cobb (1948 HOF)
Mickey Cochrane (1948 HOF)
Dizzy Dean (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely)
Bill Dickey (39-46 Salutation, Cordially yours)
Joe DiMaggio (39-46 Salutation, NO salutation)
Johnny Evers (1948 HOF)
Jimmie Foxx (39-46 Salutation, NO salutation)
Lefty Gomez (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely yours)
Hank Greenberg (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely yours)
Lefty Grove (1948 HOF)
Rogers Hornsby (1948 HOF)
Carl Hubbell (39-46 Salutation, Best Wishes)
Hughie Jennings (1948 HOF)
Walter Johnson (1948 HOF)
Nap Lajoie (1948 HOF)
Bob Lemon (47-66)
Mickey Mantle (47-66)
Christy Mathewson (1948 HOF)
Mel Ott (39-46 Salutation, NO Salutation)
Satchel Paige (47-66)
Jackie Robinson (77 HOF, leaping)
Babe Ruth (1948 HOF, batting)
Tris Speaker (1948 HOF)
Joe Tinker (1948 HOF)
Honus Wagner (1948 HOF)
Ted Williams (39-46 Salutation, 9 showing, NO salutation)
Cy Young (1948 HOF)
1980 Exhibits (32 cards)
This may have been the last hurrah for Exhibit cards, but it is interesting because this set contained cards never seen before. Some new poses, a new player, and even Warren Spahn pitching batting practice as a Cleveland Indians coach. Again they all have the plain '47-66 style fronts and the same sepia, red, or blue wash tinting with white backs (only?) as the other 1980 set. All cards contain "An Exhibit Card 1980" at the bottom making them easier to distinguish. The list of players and the source cards are as follows (source in parentheses):
Johnny Antonelli (47-66, follow through)
Richie Ashburn (47-66, Phillies with correct signature)
Earl Averill (39-46 Salutation)
Ernie Banks (new pose, waist up with arms at side)
Ewell Blackwell (47-66, throwing)
Lou Brock (new pose, his only Exhibit card)
Dean Chance (47-66)
Roger Craig (47-66)
Lou Gehrig (new pose, batting, spring training?)
Gil Hodges (47-66, LA)
Jackie Jensen (47-66)
Willie Keeler (1948 HOF)
George Kell (47-66, much larger projection)
Alex Kellner (47-66)
Harmon Killebrew (47-66, batting, plain cap)
Dale Long (47-66, with bats)
Sal Maglie (47-66)
Roger Maris (new pose, batting with cage in background)
Willie Mays (47-66, head shot, NY cap)
Minnie Minoso (47-66, Sox cap)
Stan Musial (new pose, waist up, facing left)
Billy Pierce (47-66)
Jimmy Piersall (47-66)
Eddie Plank (1948 HOF)
Pete Reiser (39-46 Salutation)
Brooks Robinson (47-66)
Pete Runnels (47-66)
Herb Score (47-66, Cleveland cap)
Warren Spahn (new pose, Cleveland cap pitching batting practice)
Billy Williams (47-66)
1948 National League Champions (47-66)
1948 World Champions (47-66)
For a photo of the cards in this set, check out a previous Kevin Savage auction.
Final Ramblings
There are other possible legitimate reprints. There are also definite fakes or knockoffs that were not produced by the Exhibit Company. Most of the fakes are of poor quality and easily stand out next to the real ones. They can vary more than just slightly in size and may or may not contain the 'footer' of the original card, the 'Made in' or 'Printed in' (those that do NOT contain this when they should are fake, unless they are legit and trimmed short). The projections on the cards are generally larger that the original as well. Other signs are cardboard or white backs (not tan/cream). But almost all of them have very grainy photos relative to the originals, which is likely due to enlarging the projection of the original.
It is possible that there were true Exhibit-produced reprints of a few cards. I have a few green tints that have the same quality photo as the originals, but I doubt it. First, they haven't been documented previously. Second, they are green tints. Third, the ones I have are players/poses contained in the same 'batch' of known fakes. Lastly, most of them contain the appropriate original 'footer' (either Made or Printed), which is not found in any of the other of legit series listed above. So I'm leaning towards these to be fakes.
Here is a list of known fakes (I will add to this as I become aware of others):
Clemente
Ford (pitching)
Fox (batting)
Howard (Elston)
Mantle (waist up, 'ck' connected)
Mays (batting)
Musial (kneeling)
Reese
Spahn (B cap)
Williams (Sincerely yours)
1939-46 Exhibits Salutations (any)
LL = "Made in USA" in Lower Left LR = "Made in USA" in Lower Right
Averill (Very Best Wishes)
Boydreau (9/16, 9.8 mm from top of hat to shoe flap)
Dean (Sincerely)
DiMaggio (MADE IN U. S. A., right, 3/4)
Gehrig (Sincerely)
Hartnett (Cordially)
Holmes (Sincerely Yours)
Klein (Yours Truly)
Kreevich (Sincerely)
Lombardi (Cordially)
Lombardi (MADE IN U. S. A., right, 3/4)
Mulcahy (Cordially)
Newson (error, Very Best Wishes)
Walters (Sincerely Yours, MADE IN U. S. A.. right, 3/4)
1948 Hall of Fame (any)
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Ty Cobb
Mickey Cochrane
Hugh Duffy
Lou Gehrig
Lefty Grove
Walter Johnson
Nap Lajoie
Babe Ruth (swinging)
Babe Ruth (with bats)
George Sisler
Rube Waddell
Honus Wagner
Ed Walsh
Cy Young
1947-66 Exhibits (any)
Aaron - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - 0.7 cm from shoe to "Printed" - MIL
Aaron - 64,65 - Printed in U.S.A. - 11/16 - tan - - MIL
Ashburn - 51 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - tan - Dark Border Ritchie - PHI
Ashburn - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - C on cap - CHC
Bailey - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - C on cap - CIN
Banks - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - with bats - black name - CHC
Bauer - 59 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - NY on hat "Printed" starts under "r" of Bauer - NYY
Berra Y - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Portrait - NYY
Boudreau - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46-7 10 cm from top of hat to shoe flap - CLE
Boyer - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - STL
Brandt - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - BAL
Brewer - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - BOS
Brissie - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD -
Bruton - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - smaller 11.3 cm from top of hat to sock arch - MIL
Casey - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - - BRO
Cepeda - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - portrait - SF
Clemente - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - PIT
Colavito - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Portrait - Detroit shows - DET
Coleman J - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - b/w only - - NYY
Crandall - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - A. centered under shoe - MIL
Daley - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - KC
Dark - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD BOS(N) - BOS (N)
DiMaggio J - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 9/16 - b/w only - - NYY
Dropo - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - BOS
Feller - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46,47 12.5 cm top of hat to top of shoe - CLE
Fox - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - "Printed" starts under "x" of Fox - CHW
Fox - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - "Printed" starts under "x" of Fox - CHW
Groat - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - PIT
Groat - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - PIT
Groth - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - DET
Henrich - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - NYY
Holmes - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD Yours truly - BOS (N)
Howard E - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - "in" in shoe - NYY
Killebrew - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Batting - no logo on cap - MIN
Kluzewski - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Plain (Kluszewski) -
Kuenn - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Plain cap -
Logan - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - "Printed" starts under "L" of "Logan" - MIL
Majeski - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - PHI (A)
Mantle - 66 - Printed in U.S.A. - 11/16 - tan - portrait - NYY
Mays - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Portrait - SF
McDaniel - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - - STL
Moon - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - - LAD
Pafko - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - C on cap Yours truly - CHC
Pesky - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - - BOS
Rizzuto - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD 11.5 cm top of hat to bottom of shoe - NYY
Roberts - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - Black name - PHI
Robinson J - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - - BRO
Score - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Plain hat -
Simmons - 58 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Uniform shadow through U. - PHI
Snider - 60 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - LA on cap - LAD
Stanky - 52 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - Giants - NYG
Stephens - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - Batting -
Thomas F - 61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - Cubs C on cap - CHC
Thomson - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - AN EXHIBIT CARD - NYG
Wehmeier - 52?? - MADE IN U.S.A. - 7/16 - b/w only - - CIN
Williams T - 52 - MADE IN U.S.A. - 5/8 - b/w only - larger than 46-7 image 11.9 cm top of hat to bottom of "W" - BOS
Williams T - 57,58 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - larger than 48-52 image "Printed" under half shoe - BOS
Williams T - 59,61 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - tan - larger than 48-52 image "Printed" under entire shoe - BOS
Team - Dodgers - 53 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - 1952 -
Team - Yankees - 53 - Made in U.S.A. - 1/2 - b/w only - 1952 -
Team - Yankees - 57 - Printed in U. S. A. - 21/32 - b/w only - 1956
1962 Exhibits Stat Back (Black) (GD)
Hank Aaron
Ernie Banks
Larry "Yogi" Berra
Norm Cash
Roberto Clemente
Dick Groat
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Jim Landis
Frank Malzone
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Wally Moon
Warren Spahn
1962 Exhibits Stat Back (Red) (GD)
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks
Larry "Yogi" Berra
Ken Boyer
Lew Burdette
Norm Cash
Orlando Cepeda
Roberto Clemente
Whitey Ford
Nellie Fox
Tito Francona
Jim Gentile
Al Kaline
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Art Mahaffey
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Wally Moon
Stan Musial
Milt Pappas
Vada Pinson
Warren Spahn
1963 Exhibits Stat Back (GD)
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Ernie Banks
Earl Battey
Ken Boyer
Norm Cash
Orlando Cepeda
Tom Cheney
Roberto Clemente
Rocky Colavito
Choo Choo Coleman
Don Drysdale
Nellie Fox
Jim Gentile
Don Hoak
Frank Howard
Al Kaline
Harmon Killebrew
Sandy Koufax
Art Mahaffey
Frank Malzone
Eddie Mathews
Willie Mays
Vada Pinson
Frank Robinson
Norm Siebern
Billy Williams
Maury Wills
A lot of people overlook these cards as simply reprints of previous cards, and many of the cards that were released in the 1970s-1980 are, though some have cropping variations from previously released cards. There are a few players that have new poses along with the first and only appearance of Lou Brock on an Exhibit card. For these series you will find projection differences to a completely new cropping of previous issues. I'll expand on this later and it's up to you to decide if these are reprints of a previous issue or a new card. Unlike those up until 1966, almost all of the cards issued during this time have white backs.
1974 Baseball Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits (24 cards)
This issue reprints 24 of the 32 '1948' Hall of Fame Exhibit cards and they come printed in black, brown, and blue tinted inks. The cards are exactly the same as the 1948 issue but have a white back. These can be the toughest to tell apart from the originals, especially when the 1974 issue was stored poorly and starts to brown, although they will fluoresce under a black light whereas the 1948s will not.
1977 Baseball Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits (32 cards)
This issue uses the same 'Greek Column' style as the 1948 and 1974 issue. Some of the same players are included here as well, however they appear as a larger projection on the card. The easiest way to tell is that a different 'teletype' font is used and they do not contain the "AN EXHIBIT CARD" statement at the bottom of the card. You will also find Hall of Famers that were not previously included (Gehringer, Ott, etc) along with newer players (Mantle, Campanella, etc), and curiously Alvin Dark. This set is also printed with a black, brown, or blue tinted ink.
1980 Hall of Fame Exhibits (32 cards)
The easiest way to recognize this issue is from "An Exhibit Card 1980 Hall of Fame" printed on the bottom of the card. These come with a sepia, red, or blue 'wash' on the entire card. They generally have white backs, but I have some with 'cardboard' backs as well. I do believe the cardboard backs are legit as the have the same high quality printing. All the cards have the plain '47-66 style fronts. Some come with Salutations and some do not (in some cases, those previously released with a Salutation have had the Salutation removed). Those printed from the 1948 HOF issue have a much larger projection since the Greek columns no longer appear. There may be slight cropping differences as well. The list of players and the source cards are as follows (source in parentheses):
Grover Cleveland Alexander (1948 HOF)
Lou Boudreau (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely)
Roger Bresnahan (1948 HOF)
Roy Campanella (47-66)
Frank Chance (1948 HOF)
Ty Cobb (1948 HOF)
Mickey Cochrane (1948 HOF)
Dizzy Dean (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely)
Bill Dickey (39-46 Salutation, Cordially yours)
Joe DiMaggio (39-46 Salutation, NO salutation)
Johnny Evers (1948 HOF)
Jimmie Foxx (39-46 Salutation, NO salutation)
Lefty Gomez (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely yours)
Hank Greenberg (39-46 Salutation, Sincerely yours)
Lefty Grove (1948 HOF)
Rogers Hornsby (1948 HOF)
Carl Hubbell (39-46 Salutation, Best Wishes)
Hughie Jennings (1948 HOF)
Walter Johnson (1948 HOF)
Nap Lajoie (1948 HOF)
Bob Lemon (47-66)
Mickey Mantle (47-66)
Christy Mathewson (1948 HOF)
Mel Ott (39-46 Salutation, NO Salutation)
Satchel Paige (47-66)
Jackie Robinson (77 HOF, leaping)
Babe Ruth (1948 HOF, batting)
Tris Speaker (1948 HOF)
Joe Tinker (1948 HOF)
Honus Wagner (1948 HOF)
Ted Williams (39-46 Salutation, 9 showing, NO salutation)
Cy Young (1948 HOF)
1980 Exhibits (32 cards)
This may have been the last hurrah for Exhibit cards, but it is interesting because this set contained cards never seen before. Some new poses, a new player, and even Warren Spahn pitching batting practice as a Cleveland Indians coach. Again they all have the plain '47-66 style fronts and the same sepia, red, or blue wash tinting with white backs (only?) as the other 1980 set. All cards contain "An Exhibit Card 1980" at the bottom making them easier to distinguish. The list of players and the source cards are as follows (source in parentheses):
Johnny Antonelli (47-66, follow through)
Richie Ashburn (47-66, Phillies with correct signature)
Earl Averill (39-46 Salutation)
Ernie Banks (new pose, waist up with arms at side)
Ewell Blackwell (47-66, throwing)
Lou Brock (new pose, his only Exhibit card)
Dean Chance (47-66)
Roger Craig (47-66)
Lou Gehrig (new pose, batting, spring training?)
Gil Hodges (47-66, LA)
Jackie Jensen (47-66)
Willie Keeler (1948 HOF)
George Kell (47-66, much larger projection)
Alex Kellner (47-66)
Harmon Killebrew (47-66, batting, plain cap)
Dale Long (47-66, with bats)
Sal Maglie (47-66)
Roger Maris (new pose, batting with cage in background)
Willie Mays (47-66, head shot, NY cap)
Minnie Minoso (47-66, Sox cap)
Stan Musial (new pose, waist up, facing left)
Billy Pierce (47-66)
Jimmy Piersall (47-66)
Eddie Plank (1948 HOF)
Pete Reiser (39-46 Salutation)
Brooks Robinson (47-66)
Pete Runnels (47-66)
Herb Score (47-66, Cleveland cap)
Warren Spahn (new pose, Cleveland cap pitching batting practice)
Billy Williams (47-66)
1948 National League Champions (47-66)
1948 World Champions (47-66)
For a photo of the cards in this set, check out a previous Kevin Savage auction.
Final Ramblings
There are other possible legitimate reprints. There are also definite fakes or knockoffs that were not produced by the Exhibit Company. Most of the fakes are of poor quality and easily stand out next to the real ones. They can vary more than just slightly in size and may or may not contain the 'footer' of the original card, the 'Made in' or 'Printed in' (those that do NOT contain this when they should are fake, unless they are legit and trimmed short). The projections on the cards are generally larger that the original as well. Other signs are cardboard or white backs (not tan/cream). But almost all of them have very grainy photos relative to the originals, which is likely due to enlarging the projection of the original.
It is possible that there were true Exhibit-produced reprints of a few cards. I have a few green tints that have the same quality photo as the originals, but I doubt it. First, they haven't been documented previously. Second, they are green tints. Third, the ones I have are players/poses contained in the same 'batch' of known fakes. Lastly, most of them contain the appropriate original 'footer' (either Made or Printed), which is not found in any of the other of legit series listed above. So I'm leaning towards these to be fakes.
Here is a list of known fakes (I will add to this as I become aware of others):
Clemente
Ford (pitching)
Fox (batting)
Howard (Elston)
Mantle (waist up, 'ck' connected)
Mays (batting)
Musial (kneeling)
Reese
Spahn (B cap)
Williams (Sincerely yours)
