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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax Auravision Records - Listen to the Interviews


I thought I'd add to the growing checklist I've been compiling of vintage Dodger cards by talking a bit about an unusual card set that doubles as a 33 1/3 RPM record.  It is known in the hobby as the 1964 Auravision set.  It was a premium item that were originally available to fans and collectors as a mail-in offer on the boxes of Milk Duds.  There are 16 records/cards available, they measure 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" and feature a five-minute interview conducted by broadcaster Marty Glickman -- who did pre- and post-game shows for the Brooklyn Dodgers for 22 years. 

As you may know, Glickman is famous in his own right.  He was a world class sprinter on the 1936 US Track & Field Olympic team, but was replaced on the US 400-meter relay (along with another athlete) in the last-minute.  The reason for this appears to be rather nefarious.  You see, Glickman is Jewish and so was the other sprinter who was replaced.  With the Olympics being held in Adolph Hitler's Germany that year many believed they were removed in order to not embarrass the antisemitic leader. 

As for the Auravision set, there are two Dodger players in it: Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax.  The Drysdale card is above and the Koufax is below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Fortunately, a helpful collector provided a recording of the interviews of the Dodger legends on youtube, so check that out below.

BTW, Sports Collectors Digest shares a fascinating story about these cards.  Check that out here.  Apparently, a former ballplayer has thousands of these hidden away, and he claims to have gotten them from a man connected to the mob.  As veteran collectors know, this set is far from rare.  They are plentiful and can be purchased at very affordable levels.  On eBay you can purchase a Drysdale or Koufax record for as little as $10 a piece.

Here is a recording of both the Koufax and Drysdale records.  A big thanks to Mr. Wide World of Zombies (I love your name) for sharing these.

Video Link:

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