In 1953 Bowman issued 2 popular sets for young America - 'Power for Peace' and 'TV and Radio Stars of NBC'.  Both were 96-card sets with exactly same look and feel as their beloved '53 Bowman baseball sets.  Though both were available as 5¢ wax packs, it seems the much more common form of distribution was by cello packs - 15 cards tightly wrapped in cellophane for 10¢. 

Here we have a rare survivor from that era - a partial box of 20 unopened cellos in the original 36-count display box.  The contents are in mixed condition, with some packs being nicely intact and others showing signs of aging with splits and tears.  Clearly though, NONE of the packs have been tampered with.  Interestingly, all the top cards are from 'Power for Peace', but 1/2 of the bottom cards are from 'TV and Radio Stars'.  The 2-part box itself (clean, EX+ condition) is interesting, as it suggests one of Bowman's earliest ventures in cello pack distribution with unique yellow and red graphics and Bowman's '5-Star Series' logo prominently displayed on top.  And the bottom of the box is factory-stamped with 'Power for Peace' and 'Radio and Television Stars', to verify that the cellos contained a mix of cards when they left the factory.

Seldom seen material – and a must if you are a vintage unopened non-sport collector!