On this blank backed card, we see the Russian legend, Victor Starffin, wearing a Daiei Stars uniform used only during the 1949 and 1950 seasons. We believe that the card was a second prize winner related to one of the JBR 51, 52, 82, or 122 sets, but we do not know which one. In any case, this is the first time in our 35 years of buying, selling and auctioning Japanese baseball cards and memorabilia that we have ever had an example of the card in our possession. We know of only one other copy that exists today.

1949 was Starffin's last great season. He went 27-17 with a 2.61 ERA, while pitching a whopping 376 innings. By contrast, 1950 was probably Starffin's poorest season, as the number of innings pitched in previous years began to take its toll. In 1950, he went 11-15 with a career high 3.96 ERA. His trips to the mound became less frequent until he finally retired following the 1955 season.

This is an opportunity for someone to own a truly rare and beautiful card of Victor Starffin.

Size: 3 5/8" x 5 5/8"

Condition: A few small chips along the bottom border and some ink writing on the blank back. All four corners exhibit some rounding.