Apparently, these two Hall of Famers are checking out a bat. This is a second year card for each of these all-time great players. 1948 was Aota's first year to play for the Giants after coming over from the Hawks. He didn't waste any time impressing Giants fans, as he won the league batting and home run championships that year. Kawakami tied Aota for most homers and had 105 RBIs compared to Aota's 99. Just think...Aota had a better season at the plate than the God of Batting! (Kawakami's nickname).

This card was originally a second prize winner on a display sheet associated with the JBR 19 Marusaka set of small sepia bromides. Only three copies of the card are known to exist.

Blank back card

Size: 5 3/4" x 3 3/8"

Condition:  The card would be Ex, except that a Japanese character within a circle has been written in the upper left corner of the blank back by a previous owner.  Also, glue and paper residue appear along one edge of the blank back because of previous attachment to a display sheet.  All examples of this card will contain such residue.