Backs Finished! How about a 1916 M101-4/5 "Sporting News/Mendelsohn" Thread

[boneheadandrube]

Boy, that's really subtle! Is the font thicker or just squished down a bit?

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by boneheadandrube

Boy, that's really subtle! Is the font thicker or just squished down a bit?

Looking at the examples it appears the best way to tell the difference is the length of the line above the 'Ware's'. It is either about the same length as the Ware's line, or it extends a little past on both sides.

Brian

[oldjudge]

There are actually several differences, but as Brian points out the length of the line above Wares is the most obvious. The scarcer version (bottom) also has no comma after street, and less space between the E and S in WARES, etc.

[boneheadandrube]

I see now, I thought the top was the new one before being informed about the line length.

[boneheadandrube]

It appears I do have some of the minutiae from the set...a reversed back! From Reading Todd's article on these it appears these are common on low numbered F&B backs? Is this accurate Todd?

Minutiae.jpg

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by boneheadandrube

It appears I do have some of the minutiae from the set...a reversed back! From Reading Todd's article on these it appears these are common on low numbered F&B backs? Is this accurate Todd?

Attachment 624592

Yes, it is common with Famous and Barr. More precisely, F&B low numbers 1-20 are nearly always found with the ad reading top to bottom like your Crawford. Numbers 21-33 I have only confirmed as reading the other way. Numbers 34-50 have some reading one way, some the other, and some reading either way (including Crawford). After that it's all bottom to top.

[scooter729]

Herpolsheimers have the same issue with some of the backs reversed. I forget the numbering system of how their backs are reversed, but I believe it may be numbered in the same way as the F&B backs have some backs in the opposite direction.