HONUS WAGNER/E.P. RAY'S MOBIL SERVICE

During the 1950s, noted illustrator William Medcalf produced a series of baseball related artworks for the advertising firm of Brown & Bigelow. The artwork was featured on a number of branded promotional merchandise that included calendars, Baseball schedules and playing cards. Six of Baseballs biggest stars were depicted on the back of of playing cards, each with their own deck. Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Connie Mack, appeared as they did in the early 1950's, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and John McGraw as spiritual images. A space below the artwork on the standard Bridge sized 2.25" x 3.50" playing cards was reserved for branded advertisement, to be given as gifts to preferred customers. Most were produced as single decks or special orders that included a set of two decks, with the box or cover also featuring the customized branding. The "Kings of The Diamond" set of two decks pictured below was branded by the auto Dealership, Rumsey Chevrolet for customers that bought a New Car.