Question for the E90-1 Experts

[ScottFandango]

dont forget the cards that are DIMPLED (not physically but colorwise)

hint ..look at the Peaches Graham for this "dimpled" style are work

[FrankWakefield]

Well what I didn't manage to say very well up there is that what if 10 or 15 cards that we think of as relatively common were actually printed from 2 separate sets of lithographic stones or plates? The cards are very, very similar, so much so that we've not noticed. And then the 'other' cards from each set of stones are only on one or the other, not both, making them less plentiful.

It would be neat to get several hundred of each of the subjects, spread them out on a table with some good light, and us gathered around... then we could bunch them different ways and see what's there.

[barrysloate]

Scott- that dimpled style is very telling. Many of the scarce cards have a dot matrix pattern that cards from other series do not.

Ed H. and others: do you think one artist was responsible for drawing all the images on a given sheet, or do you think more than one was involved? I know we can't say for sure.

[edhans]

Barry,
I very much doubt that we could attribute all the subjects on any given sheet to one artist. If we postulate 30 card sheets, I don't think that we could identify 30 subjects drawn in the manner of Duffy, Mitchell et al. Given the number of different poses and the compressed time frame involved, it would seem that several artists were employed on the project and the manufacturer simply chose from the images available.

[barrysloate]

Thanks Ed. Makes sense.

[tedzan]

Rob A

Regarding your......
" However, 25 card sheets might make sense for this set since the back itself states "100 subjects." "

The T206 set's last series of cards states "460 Subjects"....however, there are 522 subjects and 2 error cards.


Let's consider a bigger picture here. Preceding the E90 set is American Caramel Co's (ACC) E91 set. Each series
of the E91 set consists of 33 cards. We have seen horizontal strips made up of 11 cards across. I think it is fair
to conclude that these sheets were an 11 x 3 array.

The E91 set was printed some time in 1908 (judging by player/team representations). The E90-1 set must have
been designed and printed in late 1908 (judging by player/team representations).

Therefore, I don't think ACC's printing firm drastically changed its printing track to accomodate only 25 cards on
a sheet for the 1st series of the E90-1 set. If anything, the E90-1 cards were printed on 33-card sheets.

Subsequently, ACC printed the E90-2 (Pittsburg team set) and it consists of 11 subjects.

If you guys, don't like my 30-card sheets, then how does 33-card sheets sound ? At least my theory is plausible
based on the configurations of the three ACC sets that I have cited here.


TED Z

[edhans]

Ted,
I am in agreement with your 30 card sheet theory. I just don't view them as four distinct sheets comprising four distinct series. I have always been curious; why do you suggest that the initial printing took place in late 1908? Some cards that I view as first series make a bit more sense if they were printed in early 1909.

[tedzan]

Ed

One of the reasons for identifying the 1st series as a late 1908 issue is that CYoung was with Boston (AL) till FEB 1909.
There are also some other player transactions that indicate the 1st series cards were designed and printed Fall/Winter
of 1908.

Also included in this 1st series of cards are Ty Cobb and Joe Jackson. Why Joe Jax ? I base this on the fact that Connie
Mack and Daniel Lafean (founder of the American Caramel Co.) were very close friends. American Caramel was based in
Philadelphia. So, I don't think it is just a mere coincidence that most of the A's were issued in this 1st series.
Here are those A's......

HR Baker
Jack Barry
Chief Bender
Eddie Collins
Jimmy Dygert
Joe Jackson
Eddie Plank
Ira Thomas


TED Z