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john/z28jdHal,while technically youre correct by saying most have copyright lines of 1887 its likely that Kalamazoo Bats cards were issued in 2 series.Besides Corcoran,Elmer Forster is also shown on NY whom he only played for in 1886.The NY cards are all portrait cards different from the philadelphia cards and they dont have copyright dates.Since they dont you have to go by the team on which they appeared,when 2 of the players didnt play on the 1887 team then its unlikely that its an 1887 issue as it wouldnt make any sense.Corcoran not appearing on the Giants after May of 86 and Elmer Forster who is with the Mets on the card only played for them in the beginning of the 86 season. Dude Esterbrooke and Chief Roseman were also on different teams in 1887 and are pictured with the Mets.
So technically its possible the Hall of Famers who were with the team in both years were issued in 1887 its very unlikely they would only issue the non hall of famers in 1886.Theres also no NY players who were only with the team in 1887 or after in the set
I think the only way to be certain you have a rookie Hal is to get that 1885 team cabinet set.I can help with the cost by purchasing one of those non hall of famers