The 1921 Exhibit cards were large photographic postcards dispensed from penny arcade vending machines made by Chicago’s Exhibit Supply Company. Featuring 64 players - including 20 Hall of Famers - the set represents one of the earliest standalone baseball card issues in the lull between the tobacco and gum eras and marks the beginning of the long-running Exhibit card line that remained part of the hobby for decades.

I picked up the Ruth a few years ago because I didn’t have any cards of the Babe at the time, and Exhibit cards seemed undervalued. Once I got that one though, I started looking into the rest of the set. It really is a striking issue, and some of the photos are absolutely gorgeous - to me they’re closer to photographic art than typical baseball cards.

I’m fortunate to already have most of the pricier cards, so now I’m thinking I might try to track down all of the Hall of Famers.

I can already hear my wife’s eye-roll: "Great… another set you want to complete."

Exhibit Supply Company Baseball Cards ⚾ Cleveland Indians
Exhibit Supply Company cards are some of my very favorites. They are so basic and simple that they cannot fail to exude nostalgic feelings.
This visual image displays some of my favorite Cleveland Indians Exhibit Cards.

1947-66 Exhibits, Ernie Banks.
Ernie Banks' iconic catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame, let's play two!" originated from his love of baseball and his positive attitude towards the game. The phrase was notably said on a very hot day in July 1969, in Chicago, when the team was feeling down, and it became a spontaneous remark that writers noted and the phrase stuck as his signature line.
I adore this Exhibit card of Ernie - it's one of my favorite cards.🥰