Posted By:
Ted ZanidakisScot R.
Before I try to give you a direct answer to your query regarding these two
"mischievious" cards, I have to relate to you how surprised I was when I
started putting together the Imperial Tobacco set (C46) and noticed that
both Demmitt and O'Hara where in it. In 1911 both these players were back
in the International League. Demmitt was with Montreal and I forget which
team O'Hara was with. These "silly" T206 cards cost us a bundle to acquire
and for all practical purposes their Major League careers were over.
As I'm sure you know, both players were in over 100 games in 1909 with their
NY teams and then were traded. Each of them played only 10 games with their
respective teams in St. Louis in 1910; and, I can only assume they were sent
down to the Minors.
So, my guess is this occured at a narrow window of time when a batch of Polar
Bear cards were being produced. And, as you have followed closely in your analysis
how "up to the moment" the T206 designers were diligent in updating player trades,
retirements, etc. Therefore, there was no need to further depict these two with any
other brands as they were gone out of the Major league stage. And, recall that their
NY versions had been printed on most of the Tobacco brands associated with the
350 Series.
One could counter that there are 134 Minor Leaguers in the T206 set; however,
correct me if I am wrong. But, according to your timeline all the Minor Lge. cards
were already in the marketplace by the time both of these guys were relegated
to the Minors..