Thanks Lance - was hoping you could shed some light on this one!
I'm pretty sure that the younger Kuenzel never worked as a photographer for the Detroit News, but not 100% sure.
Do you actually own the photo you just showed with the black stamp? I ask because I'm wondering if the scan just somehow made it appear black. I have never, ever seen one in person that was black.
I sure hope no one pays $2500 for that photo. This is the correct font for a Detroit News photo from about the mid 1920's and before. The font is clearly different, and this was the only font used for every photographer from this time period. I would even question whether a stamp was used in 1915. I don't know when they actually started stamping the photos. But the stamp on the Ruth photo is in no way from 1915.
early 20's stamp (even then it was dark blue):
stamp consistent from 1930's until late 60's. (this is from 1957)
Ruth photo on ebay:
