Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	U.S. Marines vs. Waseda University (Japan) Blotter
Year	1927
Size	4″ x 8″
Images	Color Tint
Type	Trade
Number in Set	1

1927 Marines vs. Waseda University (Japan) Blotter Overview

Ink blotters were generally rectangular cards that were popular in the days of fountain pens. They would usually be kept on desks and were used to allow people to wipe off excess ink. To properly absorb the ink, blotters are generally a little thicker and have a different texture than traditional cards.

This blotter promoted a game between the U.S. Marines baseball team and Waseda University of Tokyo, Japan. The front featured two members from each team along with a dog (Jiggs, the Marines’ mascot). The players on the card are J.J. Bukowy and W.C. Derr (Marines) along with Yasuhiro Itami and K. Haraguchi of Waseda. The presence of Itami is an important one as he is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. The Marines ended up winning the contest, 9-6.

While not standard trading cards, blotters with sports figures are absolutely collectible. Because they were used to absorb extra ink, you will often find them with ink spots all over them. Ones that haven’t been covered in ink demand a premium.

Blotters were generally an advertisement for a specific product, service, or organization. Along with a picture of a sports figure or team, they usually sought to promote some type of product or business.

1927 Marines vs. Waseda University (Japan) Blotter Checklist

This is a standalone issue and not part of a set.

Follow Pre-War Cards on Twitter and also be sure to like our page on Facebook.