1956 “Aircraft” (W452-3)
Exhibit Supply Company, Chicago, Illinois, USA


Series Title: “Aircraft”
American Card Catalog Number: W452-3
Issued by: Exhibit Supply Company
Issued via: vending machine
Country: United States
Number of Cards: 18K (set may be larger)
Card Numbering: 1 to 18 on card front
Type of Card: Arcade Card
Card Dimensions: 3.25 × 5.375 inches (128 × 211.6 mm)
Circa: ca. 1956
Checklist: Download



Typical Card Front



Typical Card Back

Overview [1,2]


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 at 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 NSB [2] 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. It appears that the number of cards in both the 3rd and 4th sets are 18. 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.

Image-Guide [3,4]


ca. 1956 Aircraft
vending machine, 18-Airplane Cards
ORIGINAL SCANS
1
1b
2
2b
3
3b
4
4b
5
5b
6
6b
7
7b
8
8b
9
9b
10
10b
11
11b
12
12b
13
13b
14
14b
15
15b
16
16b
17
17b
18
18b

Checklist


ca. 1956 Aircraft (W452-3)
Exhibit Supply Company, 18-Cards, United States
CHECKLIST
xCard Title
1Boeing KC-135 Jet Tanker-Transport Refueling a B-52 Stratofortress
2Fairchild’s Flying Boxcar
3Supersonic Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
4Douglas Navy A4D
5Douglas Air Force C-133
6Douglas Navy F4D
7Douglas Navy A3D
8U.S. Air Force’s F101-Voodoo
9Convair Air Force F106
10U.S. Air Force Globemaster C-124
11Fairchild Air Force C-123 Transport
12Douglas Destroyer Air Force B-66
13Lockheed XF-104
14Douglas Air Force C-133A
15North American F-100’s in formation
16U.S. Air Force KB-50 refueling jets
17Convair’s F-106 Interceptor
18Convair’s F-102A Delta Dagger


References


  1. Burdick, J. R. Exhibit Series. The American Card Catalog. East Stroudsburg, PA: Kistler Printing, 1960. 184-85. Print.
  2. Watson, James C., M.D. Planes. Non-Sports Bible (NSB). Vol. I. Chelsea, MI: Sheridan, 2007. 642. Print.
  3. Bernath, Brett: Re: Aircraft & Missile cards Multiples messages to Skytamer Images. 8/14/2013 to 8/26/2015. E-mail.
  4. John A. Shupek: Card images via the Skytamer Archive Digital Image Database





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