The 1959 Doyusha Menko Sadaharu Oh, 1993 BBM Ichiro Suzuki, 1996 Bandai Carddass Charizard, and 2013 BBM SCM Shohei Ohtani all share the same origin: Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, where the earliest cardboard versions of global icons often show up first. Issued through Japan’s unique card ecosystem - menko, BBM, and Carddass vending machines - these pieces captured key beginnings long before the rest of the world caught on.

Oh’s menko reflects postwar Japanese baseball culture, Ichiro’s BBM marks the rise of modern stars, and Ohtani’s SCM #206 is widely viewed as his first issued card. Charizard’s Carddass release extends the pattern beyond sports, capturing Pokémon at its earliest stage before becoming a global phenomenon.

The pattern is hard to miss: In the Land of the Rising Sun, icons rise on cardboard first - and the rest of the market follows later.

1973 Calbee JC1 #7, Sadaharu Oh ⭐
On November 4, 1980, Sadaharu Oh, professional baseball's all-time home run leader, retired at age 40.
Sadaharu Oh played his entire professional baseball career for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, from 1959 to 1980. During his 22 seasons with the team, he became the world's all-time home run leader with 868 career home runs.

1973 Calbee JC1 #7, Sadaharu Oh ⭐ Home Run King of Professional Baseball
For as long as I can remember I've wanted a playing days baseball card of this legend...Sadaharu Oh.
Today my ship (mail) has come in. 😂
Calbee is widely recognized as the gold-standard of Japanese baseball cards for its simple, yet elegant design featuring beautiful full-bleed photography.
Calbee distributed it's cards in snack foods (potato chips, etc.) beginning in 1973, making this card a first edition Calbee and also the first card in the set of Sadaharu Oh.
This particular card praises Sadaharu Oh’s legendary hitting power and explains how he earned his famous nickname “The Monster.”

The Japanese text printed on the front of this card reads:

王 一野手（巨人）

Which translates to:

"Oh – Infielder (Giants)"

The Japanesee text printed on the back reads:
Pro Baseball Knowledge Card #7
Monster (Kaibutsu)

Oh is often called a "monster." This nickname has nothing to do with his appearance — it comes from his extraordinary home run-hitting ability. His power against pitches, the incredible distance his balls travel, and the speed of his swings are beyond ordinary human limits. His batting strength truly makes him deserving of the nickname “Monster.”

From September 11, 1972, over seven games, he hit nine home runs — including a record of home runs in seven consecutive games. That’s truly amazing — he really is a “monster.”

Calbee Confectionery

Collect What You Love❤

Featured at Goldin, this amazing 1/1 triple cut auto featuring three of arguably the greatest home run hitters who have ever played the game. (I’d say three of the top four, as Josh Gibson isn’t there) but this is a true “Museum” piece. Simply amazing history in the palm of your hand.

Won this card at an auction on What Not.