While 129 different JBR 74 cards have been catalogued in the Japanese Baseball Card Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 2.1, this card is a new addition to the checklist. The winner of this lot will own the only known copy. It is a gorgeous, pure card sepia portrait, with Den Yamada's surname and team stamped on the back by the manufacturer in purple ink, as was done for every JBR 74 card.

Den Yamada was born in Sacramento, California. After graduating from Elk Grove High School, he joined the famous Nisei baseball team, Alameda Kono. When the Alameda team toured Japan in 1937, he was scouted and signed by the Nankai team of Japan Pro Baseball. From 1937 to 1946, he was the Braves' principal center fielder. He was named to the 1940 league Best Nine team, and finished among the top ten in batting average for five consecutive years. His mark of 56 stolen bases in 1943 was the prewar season high for Japan Pro Baseball. Interestingly, he remained in Japan throughout most of World War II, playing ball in Japan.

Here's your chance to obtain a unique card of an American who played in the early years of Japan Pro Baseball.

Size: Approximately 2 1/8" x 2 1/4"

Condition: Vg/Ex