real and not contrived items but possibly not specific to Gold Coin. I have a couple of examples of non-sports "N" cards that are replicated on unattributed advertisements for a clothing line and another for racing silks....Just like going to a jobber today - the lithographer would have many generic plates and images available for use - "stock images".
A poster cut (or a cut from any medium) is just that at least to me. If it comes from a Gold Coin poster it's a GC poster cut. If it comes from a Duke tobacco album it's a Duke album cut. Not proven to be represented by something specifically Gold Coin makes these just pieces of paper cut from something with a base ball player on it. I have a few different renditions and iterations of the Old Planter (Ginter icon) from the company and some unrelated (including an 1800 sterling and enamel matchsafe with the image - it's from a painting). I still want them as part of my collection but they are only what they are and nothing more. I suppose the next step would be the "what is a card" discussion.
KNEW Jeff might have posted the wrong back
OK Jon. Now at least we are getting to the reasonable discussion. Hard to accept your argument that there were made for some illicit purpose by someone will evil in their heart or whatever conspiracy might be in your mind. It's obvious whatever they are that they are contemporaneous to the other things found in the book in style and substance. Sometimes like with the 1880's Between the Acts cards and contemporaries - MULTIPLE LITHOGRAPHERS were used -0 In cigar boxes and cigarette packs (and other printed ephemeral situations) SIMULTANEOUS requests may go out to different companies for their take on a given campaign (therefore different "hands"). This makes the most sense to me. To suggest they are anything but old and original lacks any real basis for me as I expressed much earlier. I DO appreciate that you are looking out for "us" - the collectors...…..Whether here or at an airport we should always point out something we feel is suspicious :-)