Only five examples of this Aota card are currently known in the hobby. 15 different series of Kobai Caramel cards were issued in the 1950s, but this is the only series that contains Japanese text on the front offering a premium color bromide card signed by the player pictured on this card. If the collector redeems 10 copies of the card, he will receive the premium! Surely, many of these cards were redeemed, thus making this one of the rarer Kobai issues.

Noboru Aota was a five time home run champion whose glory years were spent with the Yomiuri Giants. A hard partier, fighter and gambler, Aota, an outfielder, had a relatively short career, retiring at age 34 after several ordinary seasons. It is said that his purported gambling activities delayed his induction into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame for many years. We believe that the following lot contains the card advertised on the card offered in this lot.

Size: 1 5/8" x 2 1/4"

Condition: Light chipping and creasing on the obverse. Overall Vg/Ex. Stamped on the back as having been redeemed for prizes.