Description:

This collectible phone card commemorates the Telephone Calling Card Expo held on March 25 and 26, 1995. It is a captivating artifact that blends historical architecture with a touch of 1990s pop culture. The front prominently features a black-and-white photograph of a notable building, showcasing an ornate façade with multiple arched windows and an old-fashioned, curved structure typical of early 20th-century New York architecture. The image is bordered by white space that clearly displays the event details. The card’s value of $6.00 is printed on the left side, while the right side vertically presents the expo dates in bold lettering.

The photograph captures a scene from Ebetts Field, a renowned location in the Bronx, New York, known for its historical significance in sports and culture. In the midsection of the image, two large billboard signs are clearly visible: one for Philip Morris, a well-known tobacco brand, and another for Seagram’s, a popular spirits company at the time. These advertisements offer a glimpse into mid-century American commercial landscapes, reflecting the era’s marketing style with bold text and straightforward branding. The parking sign above these billboards adds a layer of realism to the urban setting, evoking the lively streets typical of the Bronx.

Issued by ACME, a company whose logo is discreetly positioned toward the lower right corner inside the white border, the card maintains a balanced design that does not overpower the central image. The use of a classic serif font—especially in the bold, all-caps “EBETTS FIELD, Bronx, New York”—reinforces the vintage aesthetic. This stylistic choice complements the black-and-white photograph and lends a sense of gravitas and authenticity to the collectible. The text placement around the image is carefully arranged for easy readability without detracting from the photograph itself.

Overall, the front side of the card offers more than just admission details for a niche expo; it evokes a vivid sense of place and time—a snapshot of New York City’s history, commerce, and cultural memory captured within the modest dimensions of a phone card.

Turning to the back side, the design shifts from imagery to an informational layout filled with fine print. The back is predominantly black text on a white background, a typical design choice for phone cards intended to clearly convey instructions, terms, and contact information. At the top, it states “Telephone Calling Card,” immediately indicating its purpose. Below, a block of detailed text likely outlines usage terms, dialing instructions, expiration policies, and regional limitations.

Two phone numbers are prominently displayed—standard features of calling cards—providing users with access or customer service contact options. These numbers enable cardholders to make calls without the need for coins or payphones. The fine print, with its formal tone, hints at the technical and legal details necessary for phone card use in the mid-1990s, when such cards were common yet still relatively novel.

The back also features a scannable magnetic strip at the bottom, which would electronically store the card’s balance, allowing for seamless use in public phones. The absence of decorative graphics emphasizes practicality over aesthetics, a deliberate choice that underscores the card’s dual role as both a collectible and a functioning calling device. This contrast between the nostalgic imagery on the front and the utilitarian information on the back highlights the dual nature of the card as a piece of history and everyday technology.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.