Yesterday was the anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birthday, which is a great time to share my two copies of his 1947 Kwatta Film Stars card, both graded SGC 5. This is his first known card (“1st issue” as I like to call it in the non-sports world), and these are two of the three SGC 5’s in the population - the highest graded. Being the highest graded copies of his first known card, it can be said this is the Sinatra grail card.

Do you have any Frank Sinatra cards or collectibles?

Between the Wicked Movie release and the recent $28 million sale of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, The Wizard of Oz is a hot topic in pop culture as 2024 comes to a close.

Of course -as is the same with sports cards - as popularity dramatically increases, collectors “want in.” Obviously, the average collector can’t afford to purchase a $28,000,000 pair of slippers…but the trading card hobby was already on top of this 84 years ago, giving collectors a piece of cardboard history at a reasonable price.

In 1940, A&M Wix released a “Cinema Cavalcade” set, featuring some of the most popular films and film stars of that time. A&M Wix was a cigarette and tobacco company, and like so many others, released cards to promote their brand and increase sales. Headlining this set is “The Haunted Wood,” depicting Dorothy, the Tin Man, and Scarecrow embarking on their famous journey.

While the card is not the FIRST card featuring Judy Garland or The Wizard of Oz, no other card before it completely embodies the film as this one does.
This card has a total SGC population of 4 and a total PSA population of 22. Using these numbers, it’s safe to assume there are no more than 30 graded copies across all grading platforms. If you’re able to find a copy, you can expect it to set you back a few hundred dollars, drastically increasing as you get into higher grades. Pictured is a copy from my collection.

While it isn’t a pair of ruby slippers, you will be hard-pressed to find a cooler, more affordable vintage piece of Wizard of Oz history in the collectibles space.