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Posted By: barrysloate

I also think it is a compelling argument. The team was extremely popular through the first half of 1870, until their winning streak was ended by the Atlantics. If the card was a big "seller" in 1869, it easily could have been reprinted the following year.

And here is a fifth point to support the argument. In the early part of 1869, when we can assume the card was first issued, the back featured the the Peck and Snyder sporting goods salesman. In the fall, as the weather got colder, it was replaced by the ice skate advertisement. Because the red ones went back to featuring the sporting goods salesman, we can surmise that their winter selling season had ended. With Spring, 1870 upon them, there was no longer a need to market their ice skates.

Overall, a good theory.

Edited to add I'm not exactly sure that is a salesman on the back, but that's what I've always called him. He's carrying so much equipment that he looks like a tired salesman to me.