CJ's - Do you collect either years or both?

[btkpath]

One thing that I have always wondered about is whether people view the caramel staining typical in the Cracker Jack sets as charming or as an unwanted, necessary evil. Did the staining play a part in guiding one's interest in one set over the other? Obviously, due to them being available as complete sets by mail, it is easier to find cards from the '15 set in unstained, relatively pristine form.

Personally, one of the aspects of the 1914 set that drew me to it was the staining and other imperfections that conjured up thoughts of children buying boxes of Cracker Jacks, opening them, pulling the enclosed card out and collecting and enjoying the cards.

What are others' opinions?

Thanks

Barry

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by btkpath

Personally, one of the aspects of the 1914 set that drew me to it was the staining and other imperfections that conjured up thoughts of children buying boxes of Cracker Jacks, opening them, pulling the enclosed card out and collecting and enjoying the cards.

Barry, we may have been seperated at birth as I have yet to disagree with you. I LOVE the stains, knowing they came from a kids candy and think the stains give them character. The stains didnt make me pick one set over another...the 1914 jackson, pratt and matty's prices made that decision for me.

[jbsports33]

I collect both, cannot wait for the new book! see story below

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...anning-stages/


Jimmy

[E93]

I have 1915 set and have considered adding the '14s that are not depicted or different poses for a master set of fronts but have not done so yet. I have other priorities at the moment, but one day maybe.
JimB

[RichR]

I don't mind slight staining as I think it adds a bit of character but heavily stained cards turn me off a wee bit. I decided to focus on the 1915 set as I thought I had a reasonable chance of completing the complete set.

[brickyardkennedy]

Since I'm a single team collector, I collect from both years.

I too, don't mind some staining. Maybe because it's "natural", due to the packaging, rather than poor handling by owners of the cards through the years.

[RichR]

Jimmy,

Thanks for linking that story about the Cracker Jack book. I had heard it was in the works but its nice to see a more official post on it! I know I'll be buying a couple of those!

[btkpath]

Jimmy, thanks for providing the heads-up regarding the upcoming CJ book. I will need to reserve a book or two as well.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by btkpath

One thing that I have always wondered about is whether people view the caramel staining typical in the Cracker Jack sets as charming or as an unwanted, necessary evil. Did the staining play a part in guiding one's interest in one set over the other? Obviously, due to them being available as complete sets by mail, it is easier to find cards from the '15 set in unstained, relatively pristine form.

Personally, one of the aspects of the 1914 set that drew me to it was the staining and other imperfections that conjured up thoughts of children buying boxes of Cracker Jacks, opening them, pulling the enclosed card out and collecting and enjoying the cards.

What are others' opinions?

Thanks

Barry

Barry, that is such a great point you make. I love the stains because they prove the card was NOT from one of the mail-order 1915 sets. I dislike the 1915 CJ set for the same reason I dislike the Sporting Life cards: you could order them as a set. That's just too sterile for me.

Nothing like a beautiful CJ with nice corners and a few vintage caramel stains, be it '14 or '15.