TCMA "The 1930's" & Glass Plate Negatives

[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

[thecatspajamas]

If they are to be packaged 4 or 5 to a pack, perhaps the correlation of the new numbering to the previously-issued 1930's set would best be handled with a sheet inserted in each pack? That way, you could avoid the skip-numbering on the photos themselves, and also give an idea of what is to come for those unfamiliar with the 1930's set. I'm thinking something along the lines of a full 1930's set listing in a lighter/gray text, with the enlargements produced so far in black or bolded. If the numbers differ, the previous number and new number for each could be listed and updated as new issues are added. The ones that will not be reproduced could be tagged with an asterisk and note of "not anticipated to be reprinted" or some such, so that collectors who are familiar with the 1930s set don't keep holding out for those that are fated never to be reproduced.

As far as any markings on the photos, I've never been a fan of any markings on the face of a photo unless it's an autograph. That's me speaking as more of a photo guy than a card guy though, and rarely dealing with modern reprints, so I'm not sure I'd be your target demographic either way. I do think that a nicely-produced RPPC set would be neat though, especially if produced with a matte or silk finish rather than glossy, but would that be getting too close to the taboo trading card issue that Topps has locked up?

[Keith_Loving]

Do you have any photos/negatives of William/Bill McGee (St. Louis Cardinals pitcher 1935-1941 and NY Giants pitcher1941-1942)?

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by Keith_Loving

Do you have any photos/negatives of William/Bill McGee (St. Louis Cardinals pitcher 1935-1941 and NY Giants pitcher1941-1942)?

If he was in "The 1930's" set we'll have his glass plate negative. Even if he wasn't in the set it's possible we've got access to his images. I'll have to check Photo File's archive and get back to you .

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

If they are to be packaged 4 or 5 to a pack, perhaps the correlation of the new numbering to the previously-issued 1930's set would best be handled with a sheet inserted in each pack? That way, you could avoid the skip-numbering on the photos themselves, and also give an idea of what is to come for those unfamiliar with the 1930's set. I'm thinking something along the lines of a full 1930's set listing in a lighter/gray text, with the enlargements produced so far in black or bolded. If the numbers differ, the previous number and new number for each could be listed and updated as new issues are added.

[/QUOTE]This is something that might work, as I'm leaning towards using the original set numbers. Part of our marketing will be that these images and glass plate negatives were used for the original set in 1972 and they're closely related. There are also some glass plate negatives in the collection that were NOT used in the 1972 set of some of the same players. We could offer those as exclusives, or variations etc. Lots of possibilities for those.[/QUOTE]

I do think that a nicely-produced RPPC set would be neat though, especially if produced with a matte or silk finish rather than glossy, but would that be getting too close to the taboo trading card issue that Topps has locked up?

Unfortunately, our license doesn't allow us to produce postcards. I suppose that's too close to producing "cards" and not photos.

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by steve B

I think the hand numbering should probably go on the front

Hi Steve, thanks a lot for your input. Agreed, I think this is the best option.

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'd love if we can get away with minimal logos/printing on the front but "The 1930's" logo is something I wouldn't mind having. I'm torn as to whether or not player names and teams should be on there as well. Or, perhaps just the set number and then inside each package is a sheet with player names/teams corresponding to each number.

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.

Absolutely, Photo File has a great team of graphic artists and they'll be the ones handling the scanning of the glass negatives and whatever artwork is required. After further conversations it seems likely the appropriate logos can be placed on the outside of our packaging, which would be ideal .