While we have auctioned the very similar JF 8 Jintan Gum card of Hashimoto twice over the past two decades, this is our first time to offer the JF 9 Hashimoto. The 1960 Jintan Gum sets (JF 8 and JF 9) are highly prized by collectors, in part for their whimsical, chewing gum stick shape. The cards were sold in packages about the size of the traditional Wrigleys five pack. Each package contained one baseball card, along with the individually wrapped pieces of gum; hence the unusual shape. Stanley Hashimoto was a Hawaiian school teacher whom the Toei Flyers signed as their first ever American player in 1957. After struggling in his first season (.189 batting average), he returned for 1958 and blossomed, batting .281. He was named to the Pacific League Best 9 that year as a first baseman. After another strong season in 1959, Hashimoto's star began to fade. He was traded to the Taiyo Whales for the 1961 season, and was gone from Japan Pro Baseball the following year.

Size: 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Condition: Vg/Ex to Ex