Japanese Sumo Wrestling Cards and Menko
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Silver Linings - New 1956 Silver Front Sumo Wrestling Set
Work has been busy for me of late and I am finding it harder and harder to spend time on my sumo wrestling card hobby. When I do, though, I try and maximize my time with cataloguing a set or two before my bedtime calls...as is the case with this set. This set is a new one for me and the first time I have seen this print style on a sumo menko card. From 1956, this set has a shiny silver printing technique for the front. It doesn't show well in the scans, but this set uses a black ink printed on this shiny silver paper that is then affixed to a thin piece of cardboard. The fact that I have only seen these 4 menko cards in all my years of collecting must mean they are extremely rare and it appears very few have survived today. I only recognize a few of the wrestlers, but some of the photos have been used in other sets. Right now I am going to catalogue it as the BB5612 Set - 1956 Silver Fronts. It might be another 20 years before I find any more of these, but I'm glad I can document this little piece of history.
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Wow neat! I've never seen any cards, sumo or otherwise, using a printing technique like that. Cool find!
ReplyDeleteI wish the scans turned out better. Maybe I’ll try an old fashioned photo. They are really unique.
DeleteIt's not to see why so few would've survived! 1956 seems awfully early for such an experimental type of set, that being said, they're absolutely gorgeous, even when being seen via scans!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem odd....very experimental as you mention. They look really cool in hand. Even these 4 have a decent amount of wear and tear so can’t imagine there are many more out there.
DeleteVery cool discovery. Crossing my fingers that you won't have to wait 20 years to stumble across more for your checklist. Hope work slows down a little for you during the holidays, so you can catch your breathe.
ReplyDeleteThis set will be hard to catalog with no names or identifying marks on them. Hopefully I can find a few more. Work might slow down some, but next week will be busy for sure.
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