Goldin Offers Rare Japanese 1949 Menko Die-cut Baseball Masks Certified by CGC

A complete set of eight vintage baseball mask collectibles from Japan that are certified and graded by CGC® are being offered in an upcoming auction presented by Goldin. Online bidding is already underway for Goldin's 2025 Spring Vintage Auction, which concludes on June 21, 2025. One of the highlights of the sale is a complete set of 1949 JDM 2 Menko Mask Die-cuts graded from CGC 9 to CGC 5 (lot 811). Every mask in the set was encapsulated in CGC's jumbo holder and has the distinction of being a "Top Pop," with each collectible being the lone example in the CGC Cards Population Report.

Each die-cut mask measures approximately 5" x 7.5", includes full color renderings of the players' faces and features eyes that are meant to be punched out so one can see while wearing them. Each of the CGC-certified masks have intact eyes, adding to their rarity. The reverse side of the masks feature information about the mask and player, including the player's name, jersey number and other relevant information written in Japanese characters.

These large life-size masks are a rarely seen baseball collectible from Japan that were created to mirror the faces of some of the star players of the Japanese Baseball League (JBL). The JBL was founded in 1936 and lasted until 1949 before it turned into the current Nippon Professional Baseball league in 1950. The masks not only coincided with the final year of the JBL but were also a unique collectible from the Japanese baseball league's short existence.

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During its time, the JBL was dominated by the Tokyo Kyojin, with the team later renaming itself to the Yomiuri Giants in 1947. The team won nine championships, including a run of six consecutive titles from 1938 to 1943. In addition, the team's star player Tetsuharu Kawakami is one of Japan's most iconic players, aptly nicknamed "the God of Batting/Hitting" and well-known for using a red bat at the plate.

Kawakami's accomplishments in baseball were extensive, as he became the first-ever Japanese pro to earn 2,000 or more hits. He won the batting title five times, earned two home run crowns, led the league in RBIs three times and was named league MVP three times. Following his playing career, he took over as the manager of the Yomiuri Giants from 1961 to 1974. Kawakami went on to have a legendary managerial career as well, leading the Giants to 11 championships, which included a span of nine in a row. Kawakami was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965 and still holds the record for the most pro championships in Japan as a manager.

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While Kawakami is the highlight of the eight-mask set with a grade of CGC 9; he is also joined by seven other JBL players. The small checklist includes masks of Takehiko Bessho graded CGC 8.5, Kaoru Betto graded CGC 9, Yasuya Hondo graded CGC 5, Michio Nishizawa graded CGC 9, Jiro Noguchi graded CGC 7, Hiroshi Oshita graded CGC 8 and Kiyoshi Sugiura CGC 5.

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