Here is one of only two examples extant of the elusive Victor Starffin rookie card. In addition to being the earliest known card of Victor Starffin, we believe that this is the earliest postwar baseball card issued of any player! The great Russian hurler is shown in street clothes with his hat cocked at a rakish angle. There are several other issues depicting players wearing their 1946 uniforms, but all have 1947 team notations printed on the card, thus eliminating the possibility that they were actually issued in 1946. This card is the first we've seen with an actual 1946 team name printed on the bromide. The Taihei Pacific team name printed on the card refers to a one year, 1946 franchise. Starffin was the first non-Japanese elected to the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame. He pitched for the 1934 All Japan team that faced the Ruth/Gehrig Major League All Stars. He traveled to the US with the Yomiuri Giants (Japan's first pro team) in 1935 and 1936. From 1936 (first year of Japan Pro Baseball) until 1955, he was a dominant pitcher, becoming the first to win 300 games in Japan. Of the two examples of this card that are known, this example is in far higher grade than the other. Blank backed.

Size: 1 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Condition: Ex to Ex/Mt