The 1936 R312 "Pastel" issue is called such due to the pastel coloration of the cards. However, these absolutely beautiful premiums are actually black and white photos that were color tinted. Likely produced by National Chicle, the cards were printed on thin but oversized (5 3/8" x 4") stock. Due to their large nature and thin stock, the cards are typically susceptible to a variety of condition flaws and are easily damaged.  They are also difficult to grade, as the grading companies often downgrade these cards for nearly imperceptible flaws.

These striking and whimsical cards feature players in a multitude of circumstances: posed for the camera, in action, or hamming it up with others. The result is a memorable glimpse at the lighter side of baseball in its golden days. The set is loaded with stars and Hall of Famers, including what many feel to be the true rookie card of Joe DiMaggio.  

One such example of that DiMaggio is offered here, graded Good 2 by SGC. Wonderful centering with corners and edges that exceed the grade. In fact, despite some light surface wear along the left edge of the image itself - inside the white exterior border - the rest of the front presents beautifully. Interestingly, the facsimile signature in the lower left corner of the canvas spells his last name with only one "g" though it is actually spelled "DiMa-g-g-io".

The explanation for the card's technical grade is on the reverse, where the number "87" has been written in black ink along the top edge near the right corner. While neither this writing nor some soiling and surface wear affects the front, those flaws on the reverse certainly keep this example from grading even higher than it already has, which makes this another great case of "buy the card, not the grade."

Regardless of the numerical grade assigned, the scarcity of this issue far outweighs any perceived cosmetic flaws on this extraordinary example seldom seen with this sort of visual appeal.

SGC has only ever graded 53 total examples of this 1936 R312, with only thirty-two receiving a higher grade than the Good 2 offered here of Joe DiMaggio.