TCMA "The 1930's" & Glass Plate Negatives

[GeorgeBailey2]

Are you only allowed to have the logos and, if required, holograms on the front? If you put them on the back, would it qualify as something you are not licensed to produce (like a card)?

[Huck]

Originally Posted by GeorgeBailey2

Are you only allowed to have the logos and, if required, holograms on the front? If you put them on the back, would it qualify as something you are not licensed to produce (like a card)?

Topps is the only MLB licensed card maker. Other companies make cards but sans MLB logos. I am sure there are a myriad of licensing/estate issues.

[TCMA]

Here are some of the first samples I had made up. Obviously, a lot can change throughout the creative process and this may not be representative of the final product. Should be pretty close though:

[steve B]

Sounds like a really cool project.

I like the samples, the logos aren't all that intrusive.

Does photofile make actual photographic prints from them, or digital prints? Maybe a combination using a new negatve produced digitally?

I'm not a huge fan of purely digital prints, There just isn't enough track record with them to know If I'm getting something that will be nice a few years from now or something that's just fading from age.

Steve B

[Huck]

Nice looking photos. I used to purchase original photos from the daughter (perhaps wife) of George Brace. Unfortunately, Brace sold out to I believe Getty.

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by steve B

Sounds like a really cool project.

I like the samples, the logos aren't all that intrusive.

Does photofile make actual photographic prints from them, or digital prints? Maybe a combination using a new negatve produced digitally?

I'm not a huge fan of purely digital prints, There just isn't enough track record with them to know If I'm getting something that will be nice a few years from now or something that's just fading from age.

Steve B

They will be professional quality photo prints of digitized images. First the negatives are scanned and digitized, cleaned up by our art department and cropped to fit standard dimensions, appropriate logos applied, etc.

Final prints are professional quality photo prints on Fuji photo paper.

[TCMA]

More cards from the original set :

[TCMA]

And another one of the few images from the set that is currently being offered by Photo File:

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by steve B

Sounds like a really cool project.

I like the samples, the logos aren't all that intrusive.

After digging into this a bit more it seems likely we'll be able to place the logos and hologram (if necessary) on the outside of the package and not on the prints themselves.

My thinking is they could then be offered four or five at a time in a pack this way. We'll release one pack a month and if things are going smoothly maybe we start with another TCMA set that utilized the glass plate negatives.

[TCMA]

Interested to know what your preferences would be for the following:

Hand numbering:
Would you prefer this to be on the front or the back of each print?

Set card number:
From my research it looks like we'll be able to use about half of the original images. This is due to licensing and legal restrictions etc.

Because this issue of prints will be a direct descendant of the original "The 1930's" set of 504 cards, would you prefer each print to include the original corresponding card number from the 1972 release? Or would you prefer all new numbering, starting with #1?

For example, Jimmy Foxx is card #120 in the original set. We could place that on the front of each print made from the same glass plate negative. Keep in mind that we will likely not be able to use every image from the original set. Thus, the run of new prints may never be "complete" with 504 prints corresponding to the original 504 cards.

"The 1930's" logo:
Would you like to see this logo/lettering on the front of each print as shown in the samples? Or would you prefer it not be there at all? The only other lettering on the front of each print would be the print/card number in small type, players name and team in small type, and potentially the hand numbering.

[RaidonCollects]

Originally Posted by TCMA

Set card number:
From my research it looks like we'll be able to use about half of the original images. This is due to licensing and legal restrictions etc.

Because this issue of prints will be a direct descendant of the original "The 1930's" set of 504 cards, would you prefer each print to include the original corresponding card number from the 1972 release? Or would you prefer all new numbering, starting with #1?

For example, Jimmy Foxx is card #120 in the original set. We could place that on the front of each print made from the same glass plate negative. Keep in mind that we will likely not be able to use every image from the original set. Thus, the run of new prints may never be "complete" with 504 prints corresponding to the original 504 cards.

I think new numbering would be better, as collectors unfamiliar with The 1930's set would be confused with the missing numbers.

-Owen

[steve B]

I think the hand numbering should probably go on the front. If it's done as low key as the logos on the samples I don't see it being a problem at all. On the back would be a bit odd, more like a card and less like an art print. These seem more like art prints to me.

Either way would be cool. The point that new buyers might be confused by skip numbering is a good one. It would probably take a really great marketer to make the skip numbering a thing that draws people to the older set. And unless you've got a bunch of old inventory it seems unproductive.
On the other hand, going with the original numbers would allow a bit of sensible expansion in the future if some images that are currently off limits become available. The pull of having a relative in a great set of memorabilia prints might eventually trump the potential licensing fees or an unwillingness to license.

I don't think the logo is overly noticeable on the samples. I sort of like it. Even done a bit smaller but less hidden would be ok. Maybe a very thin white outline to keep it from getting lost against dark backgrounds?
I'm sure Photo File has some limit as to how small they're willing to go with their logo. That's all stuff for the graphic artists, and from the samples and the current one shown they do a nice job.
If the location is one where the logos could be matted out easily that would probably be attractive to some buyers. Of course that goes against the whole purpose of having a logo at all so maybe not the right course.


Steve B