While we have seen game pieces like this in the past, all the others represented generic players. However, these pieces include each player's team and surname at the bottom. The "E" or "W" notation on the player's jersey is an indication that these pieces were designed to represent specific players in the 1948 East West All Star Series. This series was played in both 1948 and 1949, but since Takehiko Bessho is listed as a member of the Hawks (he played for the Giants in 1949), we know that the set dates from 1948.

Are these baseball cards or just pieces of thin cardboard? That decision will be up to collectors. Please let us know if you think these cards should be listed in the next edition of the Japanese Baseball Card Checklist & Price Guide.

Players in this lot are: (top row, left to right) Kaoru Betto (HOF), Takehiko Bessho (HOF), Tokuji Iida (HOF), Masayasu Kaneda, Chusuke Kizuka (bottom row, left to right) Tetsuharu Kawakami (HOF), Hiroshi Oshita (HOF), Takenori Yamakawa, Tokuji Kawasaki, Tetsunosuke Fujiwara, Kiyoshi Sugiura. Blank backed game pieces.

Size: Each piece is 7/8" x 2 1/2".

Condition: Range--Vg to Nm. Average Condition--Ex-Ex/Mt.