30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Runner Up

Last week I wrote a post about 1964 Topps Giant oddball issue and while digging through my scans, I found another interesting oddball from the same year:

1964 Auravision #9

Technically it's a record and not a baseball card... but considering how these were distributed to collectors, I'd still classify it as an oddball issue.

According to Sports Collectors Daily, these were available to baseball fans through a Milk Duds/Meadow Gold milk mail-in promotion.  Here are images I found over on Keyman Collectibles of what the milk carton and candy box ads looked like:



I was truly impressed with how informative their site was.  They mention that there was a large hoard of factory stock discovered in the 70's or 80's, which explains why these are very affordable considering these records are over fifty years old.

I wish I would have known this tidbit of knowledge six years ago when I overpaid and purchased my Koufax for $20 at the De Anza Flea Market.  But in hindsight, the uniqueness of this item and that fact that it brings two important things (records and sports) from my childhood together definitely softens the blow.


When I saw this sitting in the gentleman's display case, the first thing that caught my attention was the photo of Koufax and the bright blue sky in the background.  Even though its obviously a staged photo, collectors are able to imagine The Left Arm of God staring down at the opposing batter and waiting for Johnny Roseboro's signal.


The back is equally impressive.  There's a small biography, a second photo, full MLB statistics, and directions on how to play the record.

I had completely forgotten about this flea market find until I ran across this scan.  But after seeing how affordable these are, I'll probably add at least the two Athletics at some point... and possibly the Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn for my Lefty PC.

What about you?

Are these your cup of tea?  Would you consider collecting these?  Do you already own any?

Oh... and if you're wondering what's on this record, someone on YouTube recorded it:


Can you believe one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball didn't play organized baseball until high school?  The stuff you can learn from fifty-three year old baseball records.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

12 comments:

Johnnys Trading Spot said...

I'll have to land that Spahn one day.

Doe M.G. said...

Cool audio. Thanks for sharing this!

Mark Hoyle said...

Very cool Fuji. I have the Spahn from this set

Tony Burbs said...

I love records, I love baseball, I love oddball trading cards... how is it that I don't already have a few of these? Very cool!

night owl said...

I've known about these for a long time but never knew anyone who had one. This is the first time I've seen it displayed.

As for that factoid about Koufax not playing organized ball before high school: I knew that when I was in 4th grade. Learned about it the old-fashioned way: from a book.

Man said...

Gotta give your self a break-$20 for that is a fair price

Hackenbush said...

My cup of tea? Why yes. I didn't know about them either.

Chris said...

I'd never seen or heard of these Auravision records, but they're really neat. That front photo is fantastic, and the audio is interesting as well. I love hearing the crackle of the record in between Sandy's advice. Great stuff!

Zippy Zappy said...

I've spent $20 on worse things. It was a fair price for the Koufax then, it still is now, no question about it.

At the very least the concept intrigues me greatly. It would definitely be my cup of tea if it was from an even earlier time, like the deadball era.

ketchupman36 said...

I would easily pay $20 for that.

Matt said...

Great looking card! I would love to add one. The word affordable helps

Fuji said...

john miller - haven't targeted him yet... but i will.

doe m.g. - glad this post was of use

mark hoyle - nice. looking forward to adding him to the collection.

tony burbs - it's the trifecta!

night owl - that's why i missed it. i'm not a big reader outside of blog posts

brady - yeah... it's a fair price. but i never like paying more than i have to.

hackenbush - glad we share an interest in similar tea

chris - that crackle is music to my ears

zippy - hmmm. records from the early 20th century. that would be pretty sweet... and probably much more rare and expensive

ketchupman36 - i'm pretty sure you can if you're patient

sport card collectors - vintage and affordable. two of my favorite words.