CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Heliomalt is a traditional Swiss chocolate-malt beverage and powder brand with a long history in Switzerland. Throughout the 1950s, Heliomalt was actively advertised in association with health, energy, and Swiss sporting events. These cards were part of a set that featured various athletes from a variety of sports and entertainment celebrities. These cards are extremely rare, with no known checklist and the exact numbers of cards in the set is unknown. The cards aren’t numbered but have the subject labeled on the reverse. I’m unsure how many basketball cards were produced. The Harlem Globetrotters card notably features Meadowlark Lemon, in what is likely his earliest card, with the Heinerle German release attributed to late 1958 or 1959. I confirmed that the Globetrotters did have a tour stop in Switzerland in 1957. The other card features a game between the Swiss & Portugal, likely their match at the 1957 FIBA Eurobasket. Measurements: 2” x 2.75”
1958 HELIOMALT CHOCOLATE BEVERAGE CO. BASKETBALL CARDS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS/MEADOWLARK LEMON (SWITZERLAND)
1958
