Lot # 63: 1950 JBR 9b Marutoku Large Size 2nd Prize Bromide Card—Hiroshi Nakao (HOF)

Category: Baseball Cards

Starting Bid: $40.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Auction 65 Ended 3/18/2023",
which ran from 2/27/2023 5:00 PM to
3/18/2023 11:00 PM



What a powerful, dynamic image!  It’s a close-up, mid delivery look at the little, Yomiuri Giants lefthander, Hiroshi Nakao.  Nakao was first signed by the Yomiuri Giants in 1939 and had a strong rookie season going 12-5, 2.61 and pitching a no hitter.  In 1940, he dominated the opposition on his way to a winning 26 games and sporting a 1.76 ERA.  A hard thrower despite his size, Nakao was brutal on the opposition.  In 1941, he again won 26 contests while lowering his ERA to 1.54 and leading the league in strikeouts.  He also threw his second career no hitter that season.  After missing several years due to World War II, Nakao once again led the league in wins (28), strikeouts and ERA (1.87) in 1948.  He received the Sawamura (Japan Cy Young) Award for his performance. 

This card was originally attached to a display sheet associated with the JBR 9 set by the manufacturer prior to issue.   The card is scarce.  This is the first example of the JBR 9b Nakao card that we have ever handled.

Blank back card 

Size:  3 9/16” x 5”

Condition:  Corners, borders and sharpness of image are outstanding.  However, the card has darkened to a degree over the decades.  The blank back exhibits paper and glue residue along the very top, since the card was issued attached to a display sheet by the manufacturer.  All examples of this card will contain such residue.  Also, the number “13” has been printed in ink on the back in the upper left corner.

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