Goudy Reprints

[oaks1912]

The Charlie Brooks reprints came out around '76 and the first run was printed on very similar stock to an original Goudey but without the reprint mark. Opportunists quickly realized that you could dip these in tea, and put them in the oven for a few minutes to replicate 40 years of aging and then selling them at flea markets, antique fairs, etc for a whole lot more than the dime a card that they paid. There was an outcry at the time by contemporary collectors. A second printing was on similar stock but contained the reprint stamp which was often 'scuffed' off on the back side. Within a year a third printing came out which utilized a thinner stock of paper. All three are distinguishable by anyone familiar with real Goudeys and how they wear, along with the printing quality. Still they will pop up occasionally in longtime collections. A few have even managed to migrate into slabs

[FrankWakefield]

The reprints I've seen / handled fluoresce when illuminated with uv light.

Da black light is an affordable underutilized tool for folks collecting pre WWII cards.

[Keith H. Thompson]

the reprints can easily be identified by black light.

[Keith H. Thompson]

Would a 1933 or a 1934 Goudey also "handle fluorescence" ?

[FrankWakefield]

Genuine 1933 and 1934 Goudey cards would not fluoresce when exposed to uv light.

A slight exception might be if the card was soaked or cleaned be a modern cleaner that contains brighteners... some modern laundry detergents have them.

Brighteners started getting added to paper in the late 1940s. If you pick up your black light, turn off the light in a room with books and papers, you can quickly get the concept... old books and old papers won't fluoresce or shine bright violet from the light. New manufactured paper and books will shine bright.

Black light flashlights are inexpensive. Look on Amazon, Target, Walmart, or eBay online. These are an affordable way to avoid expensive mistakes with ball cards, autographed items, and photographs.

[pingman59]

Originally Posted by oaks1912

The Charlie Brooks reprints came out around '76 and the first run was printed on very similar stock to an original Goudey but without the reprint mark. Opportunists quickly realized that you could dip these in tea, and put them in the oven for a few minutes to replicate 40 years of aging and then selling them at flea markets, antique fairs, etc for a whole lot more than the dime a card that they paid. There was an outcry at the time by contemporary collectors. A second printing was on similar stock but contained the reprint stamp which was often 'scuffed' off on the back side. Within a year a third printing came out which utilized a thinner stock of paper. All three are distinguishable by anyone familiar with real Goudeys and how they wear, along with the printing quality. Still they will pop up occasionally in longtime collections. A few have even managed to migrate into slabs

I remember them well and my first reaction when holding them was, "What's all the fuss about? These are easy to distinguish from the originals."