Japanese Topps cards by Yamakatsu. These actually do say "Topps Chewing Gum Inc." on every card, but that's about all I can
read. These came 4 to a pack, and there were 36 cards to a set. They are slightly oversized as compared to U.S. cards, but
are really nice quality wise. The packs were sold from a hanging display, way back in 1977 Japan. Pictured are the backs
and fronts of several packs, and a close-up of the header card from the hanging display. I'm not sure exactly how many
packs would come with a full display, but mine came with 25 and was just about as full as it could be. I'd guess that a
hanging display with 25 unopened packs would be equivalent to a full "wax box" of U.S. Topps cards.
These cards were also sold in "gamble books". The books would have one card per page, and the kids would open one page and pull
a card. In the gamble books, some of the cards were "winner cards" and could be exchanged for a prize. The "winner cards"
had red printing on the back (see examples shown) that indicated the prize. The gamble books themselves each had a different
card glued to the front, so even the empty books could be collected as a set! I suppose you could have a winner card set,
a gamble book set, and a regular set. Also shown, are the fronts and backs of two gamble books.
1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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1977 Yamakatsu (Japan)
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