New TCMA Postcard Issue - *First Samples*
 

Gentlemen, I'm happy to report things are moving ahead (albeit slowly) with our new postcard series featuring ballplayers from the 1930's. These samples were printed on the thickest stock we had in-house but we're shooting for at least 14pt card stock for the finished product. These cards will also feature postcard backs with a 1930's feel, which are still in the design stages.

As mentioned previously, we're revisiting the collection of original glass plate negatives used to create the 504 card "The 1930's" set in 1972 and several other TCMA issues from the era. Our new project is being produced by creating all-new scans of the glass plates and restoring the images so they can be presented in never-before-seen clarity. Many of the images we'll be using have never been seen by the public or previously offered on a card of any kind.

Excitingly, we've also recently discovered several damaged glass plates from of the 1928 Philadelphia Athletics that we have scanned and restored, including images of Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Eddie Collins, Zack Wheat and others.

For now, enjoy the first rough samples and I'll be updating the community as we continue to get closer to production.

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Wow! Those look great, Andrew! I can't wait to see the finished product!

Those are stunningly sharp photos. Keep up the fantastic work!

Brian

Thanks, guys. Hoping to have Series 1 ready to go shortly after Opening Day :) . Goal is to produce them in Limited Editions of 500, though we may have to do 1000. Each card will be numbered but 500/1000 still up in the air. Will offer both retail pricing to buy directly through us and wholesale pricing for dealers.

Since the cards have logos, do you have the requisite licenses with MLB properties about the uniforms and with whomever represents some of these players

Excellent question, Rich. Our new cards will be produced through Photo File (where I'm an employee) and they are a licensee of Major League Baseball. TCMA Ltd. will act as the exclusive distributor once the cards are approved as a licensed product. Postcard size cards do fall under Photo File's licensing agreement with MLB but all products must be submitted for approval, which of course will be done.

That is truly exciting news , since Photo File has such a wide swath of players they use for photos there are very large sets available for collectors. Possibly with photos not seen before on cards.

On a slightly different tack, I run a monthly show in the DFW area and if it works out, would love to figure out a way to promote your products (since they are licensed) at my shows at my front tables. I did something like that for my friend who distributed Decision 2016 and sold quite a bit for him. Plus our customers are mainly traditional collectors who chase the older cards :)

Rich

Nice looking postcards. How many postcards will be in the "set" or is it something that you all will always be adding to?
James

Those look super sharp!

Good question. Series 1 will likely be 20 - 25 cards and I feel as though we can do upwards of 500 different if we keep it going. Some of the players in this collection of glass plate negatives have several different poses, so there are lots of possibilities.

I'm thinking this will work best as a monthly issue by series. I'd also like to offer premiums, one-off cards, lots of possibilities. In the end it's an homage and a throwback to the original 1972 set my father produced, shown here:

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Thanks! We feel that the 4x6 size is great for showcasing just how sharp these images are. I think collectors will be impressed :) .

I love the choice of format for these, and will definitely pick some up!

From your description, I'm assuming these will be printed rather than being true RPPC's (Real Photo Postcards)? Is there even still a way to affordably produce large batches of RPPC's through true photographic processes these days?

Only one word for those: They look awesome! ;-)

I for one would like to see a 1000 size edition. The Perez-Steele postcards were issued to 10,000, so 1/10 that size seems like a good number.