1992 Trak Auto Stamps

This issue was a stamp sheet and accompanying poster/print (which I have, but is unimpressive alone and thus was not scanned) that showcased all of the Dodgers who had been selected to an All Star team since the teams move to Dodger Stadium in 1962. The stamps were meant to be stuck onto the poster and then displayed/framed or whatever.

For a very long time, I thought this issue would be one of those never to be found items from my want list. It seems it still sits on numerous collectors want lists even today, probably because it is an odd set and even now, I see it is often misidentified. Detached stamps are not identified in any way with a brand or manufacturer and the only way to tell is to find a complete stamp sheet. If you are a Dodger fan and collect a few different players, this is a treasure trove of an item. 49 different players are represented, some multiple times, based on the year(s) they were chosen as an All Star. Although each player chosen in a given year are listed, only certain players are pictured. For example, Tommy Lasorda is the only person pictured on the 1979 and 1983 All Star stamp although there were multiple players each year.

From the scanned images, you can see that this stamp sheet and accompanying poster were available from a chain of discount automotive parts locations called Trak Auto. I've tried to do some research into the franchise, but it was far from exhaustive, and it seems the firm was mainly operating out of the East and Midwest and eventually went bankrupt and sold off to other automotive parts distributors. However, this could easily have been a different chain all together. I just assumed since the subject was the Dodgers, the parts store would be in LA! There was no mention of California locations in my research.

Anyway, the set is usually found in full sheet form, because who wants to deal with a bunch of frail, tiny stamps? The "set" though is usually incomplete, because there is a special anniversary stamp that was meant to complete the set, available only by visiting the stores. The bottom of the stamp sheet mentions this, but it is confusing. It indicates that a sheet of 17 anniversary stamps are available for $0.99 and the purchase of Valvoline oil or $2.99 w/o an oil purchase. The sheet itself contains 31 stamps and I don't know why anyone would want 17 of the "special" diamond anniversary stamps. Maybe there is someone out there who obtained the special diamond stamp and can shed some light. I have never seen one, not that I care. All I really wanted was the Garvey stamp anyway.

A quick scan of ebay shows that one seller has 2 sets available at $20 plus s/h, but it is not listed under Trak Auto at all. It is a full sheet w/ the accompanying poster/print. Still not a common item, but definitely obtainable in today's internet world.