April 3, 2025: Spring Auction
Presented is an astonishing group of the 1962-65 Jay Publishing Photo Packs, a simply massive array of more than 650 examples of the Type 2 Photos, most found in a remarkably pristine condition, seemingly never having faced the normal fondling of eager young hands. The group includes more than 40 complete sets and 15 near sets. The charming Jay Publishing Photo Packs that were produced from 1958-65 were a popular item for fans and collectors, the 5-by-7-inch black-and-white photos that were issued in 12-card Team Packs and distributed at major league ballparks and stadiums, plus some stores, along with a mail-in offer. As noted, the offered group is in extraordinary condition, essentially Near-Mint or better, with the smattering of photos deemed Ex-Mt being those with those tiny dings common in team sets issued in envelopes; some of the few condition anomalies are noted in the listing below. The original mailing envelopes are included with the majority of the sets, with condition typically ranging from Good to Very Good, still highly collectible as an element that faced some distress simply by virtue of being opened. Still highly collectable six decades later, the Picture Packs were typically printed on a glossy stock and featured portraits and in-action images of the players, often with multiple poses for many and, by the same token, many images were reused in different instances, sometimes making determining year of issue problematic. For the hobby, the Packs are divided into Type One and Type Two (this lot) categories, with the former from 1958-61 employing a sans-serif font and Type Two featured in this lot from 1962-65 with serif, helping to make the two periods relatively easy to distinguish. In the detailed listing that follows, every effort was made to attribute properly to specific years, but the nature of the undertaking brings with it a degree of flexibility in that area. The breakdown (657): 1) 1962 (10) – Yankees, with Maris (Fair) and Ford (Very Good); 2) 1963 (172) – complete sets of 12 unless otherwise indicated – Orioles, Angels, Cubs (35) two sets plus one near-set missing Hubbs), White Sox, Reds, Tigers – Near Set 10/12 missing Kaline, Colt .45s, Athletics, Braves – 11/12 missing Aaron, Pirates - 11/12 missing Clemente, Giants – 11/12 missing Mays and Cardinals (22) – with a single Musial; 3) 1964 (248) – 17 complete sets and four missing a single photo – complete sets (17) of Orioles, Red Sox (2), Cubs (2), White Sox (2), Reds, Tigers, Athletics, Angels (2 – one is unopened with Good envelope), Phillies, Cardinals, Senators and Twins (2), plus near sets 11/12 of Braves (missing Aaron), Pirates (Clemente), Giants (Mays) and Orioles (Pappas); 4) 1965 (203) – 12 complete sets and five near sets – complete sets of Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Tigers, Astros, Athletics, Angels (two sets, one is with facsimile autograph graphics, Braves, Twins, Mets and Phillies, plus near sets of near sets of Orioles (11/12 missing Brooks), Reds (8/12), Athletics (11/12), two (2) Braves near sets (24 – missing Aaron) and Cardinals (11/12); and 5) 1973 Padres Deans Photos Near Set – 5 ½-by-8 ½ inches (24 missing Winfield). Whew! Jump in on this one, baby; take a guess when so many of these treasures in this amazing condition will turn up at another auction.
1962-65 Jay Publishing Team Photo Packs Massive Type 2 Pristine Group, 40-Plus Sets (657)
Click above for larger image.