While looking through my collection, I came across an American Torch Club card. This particular card expired in 1970. The front of the card says, “Sponsored by the American Oil Company and the Diners Club.” The card was valid at all Standard, American, and Esso stations. It’s also honored as a Diners Club card anywhere in the world.
Gas & entertainment card collectors
The American Torch Club card is a card of interest for two major collecting fields. The gas card specialist must have one. You’ll probably also want it if you’re a travel and entertainment card collector.
I immediately started looking through my collection for other cards with multiple interest potential. I didn’t find any as impressive as the American Torch Club card, but I did find others.
Special, uniquely collectible designs
Travelodge had a card with a photo of a little girl asleep, hugging a teddy bear. Bears are a big collecting field! Many teddy bear collectors treat their stuffed friends like children.
I know that some teddy bear owners have American Express Gold Cards in their bear’s name. What teddy bear collector wouldn’t love a credit card with a picture of a bear? Obviously, this isn’t as strong an overlap as the Torch Club card, but there’s still a secondary interest involved.
Cards for airlines, automobile rentals & hotels
I discovered another card that, on its front, gives equal billing to Pacific Southwest Airlines, Hertz, and Hyatt Hotels. The back of the card states, “For flying, driving or sleeping.” Here’s a card that must be had by three fields: airlines, automobile rentals, and hotels.
It’s interesting to think about a collection of multi-interest credit cards. The collection would probably be small, but it would contain some important cards.
Potential for various fields of credit card collecting
There’s a lot of potential in credit cards that must be had by more than one collecting field. Be careful not to trade a multi-interest card for a common card. When it has to be had by two or more fields, it should greatly increase in value!
Copyright 1987 by Greg Tunks
