Following the success of Wally Yonamine in 1951, several more Hawaiians made their Japan Pro Baseball debuts in 1952. Among them was Katsuji Kojima. An outfielder, Kojima first made a name for himself at Farrington High School. Later, he joined the Hawaii Red Sox. He then played in Japan for the Osaka Tigers from 1952 to 1954.
The JF 63b issue carries a scarcity factor of R5 in Japanese Baseball Cards Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 3.0 by Gary Engel, signifying that five or fewer examples of this card are known. As JF 63b cards were issued with coupons on the bottom, it is quite difficult to find JF 63b cards that still retain the coupon. This is only the second JF 63b Kojima with coupon that we have ever encountered.
This difficult-to-find card would be at home in the collection of anyone who enjoys cards of American players in Japan.
Size: 1 13/32" x 2"
Condition: The card has a strong horizontal crease on the left side above the coupon. It also has numerous caramel stains.