This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/4/2021
In 2017 Sports Collectors Daily stated the 1949 Leaf Premiums might be among the most underappreciated vintage cards in the hobby. We agree. Printed on thin stock, the Premiums included a photo of the player, a facsimile autograph and a short biography of the player on the front. The backs were blank. They measured 5 5/8” x 7 1/4" so were more photos than "cards."
It is an interesting tale how they made their way into collector's hands at the time. These "Premiums" were placed at the bottom of the box of 24 nickel packs. At the bottom of each regular issue Leaf baseball card was a promotion for the Premiums. The stores were to give the card to anyone who accumulated ten wrappers and turned them in.
But who follows directions? Some stores probably just gave them away to a kid who bought the last packs in the box. Who knows what the kids thought when they "earned" one of these "old timers" their dad or grandpa knew more about?
Today, 1949 Leaf Premiums are quite scarce, especially of icons like the Babe Ruth presented here as a Beckett 3 VERY GOOD. Good luck finding another one.