Posted By:
MattMark - Thanks for posting Lew's article!
So, if I'm reading it correctly, here is the rundown of what we know on M116s (please correct any mistakes):
3 different backs were printed and with the exception of series 3, all were printed with blue ink.
Type 1 - "When you think of"
Type 2 - "If you want"
Type 3 - "Over 300 Subjects"
There is some unclarity about how the tpye 3 backs were distributed, although there seems to be consensus that their printing and distribution was done after the first 18 series.
Series 1: Blue and pastel backgrounds - blue more difficult; type 1, 2 or 3 backs
Series 2: Blue and pastel backgrounds - pastel more difficult; only type 1 or 2 backs
Series 3: Only type 1 backs; printed with blue or black ink
Series 4-18: type 1, 2 or 3 backs
Series 19-24: only type 3 backs
Points for discussion:
1) Where the McConnell and McQuillan variations only available with the Type 3 back (does anyone have one with a different back, or a type 3 back without the team change)? If so, are they really any more scarce then any other Type 3 back?
2) Were all 216 cards re-issued with type 3 backs?
3) Lew states as matter of fact that the pastels are tougher then the blues in series 2.
4) Is there a correlation between the blue/pastel background versions found in the first 2 series and the different types of backs?
Edited for corrections.