Monday, June 1, 2020

1971 Japanese Sumo Wrestling 3D Lenticular Cards - Move over Kellogg's!

This auction had me super excited as I counted down the days until it ended and I wasn't about ready to let these slip through my fingers.  For the vintage sumo menko and card collectors, this is the toughest set to find in the post-menko era (after 1964).  Some of the very first lenticular/3D cards in both the Japanese baseball and sumo world, this 15-20 card set features baseball players, boxers, and sumo wrestlers.  These black-backed wonders capture the very first card of Takamiyama, the first foreigner to win a sumo tournament, as well as Tamanoumi who was destined for greatness only to pass away shortly after this card was produced from appendicitis.  I have seen only one other of these (another Takamiyama) and these will likely only pop up once every 5-10 years at the rate I am seeing them.  Distribution of these is unknown, but could have very well been issued with candy or gum.  Have a great week and stay safe out there.  Sayonara!




8 comments:

  1. The Japanese version of Kellogg's. Maybe these were distributed in cereal boxes? Regardless of distribution, these are fantastic! Congratulations on the find!

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    1. These are pretty legit and I wish they were easier to come by.

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  2. Ah those are so awesome, congratulations!!

    Were those a Yahoo Auction or an Ebay find?

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    1. Thanks YJA. Engel has them listed as R-4 for rarity so the Japanese baseball onesie are hard to come by as well.

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  3. Would it be sacrilege if I said that these looked better than the Kellogg's baseball cards?

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    1. Maybe, but Kellogg’s have better backs for sure.

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  4. Nice! These were issued by Kabaya, right? I'd agree with your guess that they were given away with gum or candy.

    Did you get any of the baseball ones?

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    1. I only picked up these two. Have never seen a baseball one before other than in Engel’s book.

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