The tall, thin JBR 51b cards are rarely seen.  The set carries the designation of R5 in Japanese Baseball Cards Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 3.0 by Gary Engel, which indicates that five or fewer copies of the card offered here are known.  The cards were originally attached to display sheets and were awarded to purchasers of cards from the JBR 51 set which had the number 2 stamped on the back by the manufacturer.

On the vast majority of Hall of Famer Tokuji Iida’s cards, he is portrayed in stretch position at first base, indicating that he was an outstanding fielder.  This card depicts Iida at bat.  1949 was Iida’s best offensive season, as he blasted 27 homers, drove in 101 runs and batted .322.

Blank back card

Size:  1 11/16” x 5 5/8”

Condition:  Vg/Ex.  Extra paper and glue remnants appear on the blank back, as the card was originally issued mounted to a display sheet by the manufacturer.  All JBR 51b cards will contain such glue and paper remnants.