1955 Jet Planes Series 1
The leader in the field of cards retailed in vending machines without merchandise was the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago, hence the general term “Exhibit” for these cards. The “Exhibit” cards were designed to be sold direct, without a product, which was the distinguishing feature of the cards.
Card vending machines were mostly found in arcades and amusement centers, although they were not confined to these locations. The issues started about 1920, which makes Exhibit just about the oldest continuous issuer of cards in the business. Standard Exhibits cards are 3⅜ × 5⅜ inches, post card size on thick card stock, and many have post card Backs, although the usual Back is blank. Most of the recent issues have no identification of the supplier, usually just “Printed in U.S.A.” Other sizes and thicknesses of cards are known for other firms, and also some cards may well have been machine cards. Black and white, and tan sepia, are the common colors, particularly for the photo types.
The “Exhibit” photo type airplane cards were issued in a least four separate series. The first series, “Planes, Series 1” (aka “Jet Planes”) consisting of 64 cards, was issued in 1955 with an ACC number of W452-1. It is identified by the phrase “Printed in U.S.A.” in both black and white. The second series, also issued in 1955 “Planes, Series 2” (aka “New Jet Planes”) also consists of 64 cards. This series is identified by the phrase “Made in the U.S.A.” and has an ACC number of W452-2. The third series, which is not cataloged in the NSB² is titled “Aircraft”. Though not catalogued in the NSB, the logical ACC number for this set is W452-3. This set also bears the “Printed in U.S.A.” caption. This 3rd set was most likely issued in the 1956 timeframe or later since the Convair F-106A #9 card has a 1956 tail number. The fourth set in the series is titled “Missile” and was most likely issued during the 1958 or later timeframe since the Nike Hercules shown on card #15 became operational in 1958. Again, we have assumed a sequential ACC number of W452-4. We are also assuming that the number of cards in both the 3rd and 4th sets are also 64. The checklists for the 3rd and 4th sets are incomplete, so the 64 cards per set is only an assumption. Any help would be appreciated to finalize the composition of the 3rd and 4th sets. Sample cards from each of the four sets are shown below. You may also “click” on these images to reveal 600-dpi computer enhanced images of the card.
Card vending machines were mostly found in arcades and amusement centers, although they were not confined to these locations. The issues started about 1920, which makes Exhibit just about the oldest continuous issuer of cards in the business. Standard Exhibits cards are 3⅜ × 5⅜ inches, post card size on thick card stock, and many have post card Backs, although the usual Back is blank. Most of the recent issues have no identification of the supplier, usually just “Printed in U.S.A.” Other sizes and thicknesses of cards are known for other firms, and also some cards may well have been machine cards. Black and white, and tan sepia, are the common colors, particularly for the photo types.
The “Exhibit” photo type airplane cards were issued in a least four separate series. The first series, “Planes, Series 1” (aka “Jet Planes”) consisting of 64 cards, was issued in 1955 with an ACC number of W452-1. It is identified by the phrase “Printed in U.S.A.” in both black and white. The second series, also issued in 1955 “Planes, Series 2” (aka “New Jet Planes”) also consists of 64 cards. This series is identified by the phrase “Made in the U.S.A.” and has an ACC number of W452-2. The third series, which is not cataloged in the NSB² is titled “Aircraft”. Though not catalogued in the NSB, the logical ACC number for this set is W452-3. This set also bears the “Printed in U.S.A.” caption. This 3rd set was most likely issued in the 1956 timeframe or later since the Convair F-106A #9 card has a 1956 tail number. The fourth set in the series is titled “Missile” and was most likely issued during the 1958 or later timeframe since the Nike Hercules shown on card #15 became operational in 1958. Again, we have assumed a sequential ACC number of W452-4. We are also assuming that the number of cards in both the 3rd and 4th sets are also 64. The checklists for the 3rd and 4th sets are incomplete, so the 64 cards per set is only an assumption. Any help would be appreciated to finalize the composition of the 3rd and 4th sets. Sample cards from each of the four sets are shown below. You may also “click” on these images to reveal 600-dpi computer enhanced images of the card.