T203 The Red Sox Mayo's Cut Plug Card Late Night Thoughts
 

I know there has been debate whether the T203 Mayo's Cut Plug Baseball Comic set was either from 1910 or 1900. If it was from 1900, would the Red Sox card be one of the earliest references of the team name on a card?

The team wasn’t officially called the Red Sox by media until 1907 and it wasn’t until 1908 where they played officially as the Boston Red Sox. However, the American League franchise didn’t exist until 1901 and even then they were the Boston Americans.

It would make sense if the set was from 1910 knowing the above, but if the set was truly from 1900, it has me scratching my head.

Is this a reference to something else at the time perhaps?

I believe it is the earliest reference.

I am with you, the 1900 date makes zero sense.

The team wore all blue until 1907 and the swap to the Sox name to honor the Beaneaters who had left town. I have never seen a reference to the Red Stockings as the Sox either. A later date is the only logical explanation.

It makes me wonder why grading companies believe this set to be from 1900, as this card seems to debunk that theory, or at least it seems that way.

Even if proved wrong lately, PSA will retain their original dating or they'd have a splintered POP report, and likely have to recall existing slabs to get them reholdered. And so, they don't do that.