Among the most rare of all the late 1950s regional issues is the eight-card "test" issue which preceeded the 1958 Hires Root Beer set. The "test" cards are sepia-toned photos on a yellow or orange background which originally contained tabs at the bottom with offers to join the Hires Baseball Club. Today the cards are extraordinarily scarce with or without the tabs attached. The subsequent season's 76-card issue remains one of the most popular of the era. Presented here is a handsome display professionally matted and framed piece related to Hires Root Beer. The key item is an April 15 contract between the Hires company and star outfielder Bobby Thomson which paid him $100 for the rights to publish his name and image on the 1958 baseball card. The typewritten contract has been signed by Thompson as well as a witness. Flanking the contract on the display are two print advertisements for Hires both colorful and bright featuring a drawn character holding a frosty bottle of Hires Root Beer. The display is wonderful measuring 26" x 18". An excellent companion piece attractively framed into an extremely attractive piece.