m116 "blues", puzzle-piece cards, proofs, handcut panels and other oddities

[sb1]

None of these handcut pieces, whether on thick or thin stock should be considered "proofs". All are cut from varying advertising pieces. Sporting Life had a very aggressive marketing campaign for most of the early 1900's marketing their cabinet cards and pocket publications and later their venture into the baseball "card" world with the M116's.

A true proof based on various other known issues such as T206 & T3, would have the "crosshairs" for alignment on all four sides and no text at the bottom. I have never seen an actual M116 "proof", nor one for many other mainstream sets. These would not have been available to the general public in any way. Most of the printers scrap and the few known proofs of the many tobacco and caramel card issues are from items carried home by employees, much like the plethora of sheets, ad cards and printers scrap that Topps and Bowman employees toted out in the 1950's.

[caramelcard]

When pastels M116s are soaked, they lose the pinkish color that you would see in the portrait's face. The backs will also fade if they are soaked long enough.

Rob

[ethicsprof]

great thread and pics!
i have three M116s for my type collection because they are one of my favorite sets.
(typically, i've been very singleminded(pun intended) about getting just one per type).
I have a hughie jennings NM7 which I won from one of the last of Sloate's auctions. I also have a 6 Bransfield and 6 Crandall---but what's great now is that i realize I don't have a blue!!!
At least not for the next few minutes!!!
all the best,
barry

[joeadcock]

Keep up the good work Barry

[ZernialFan]

Like the Blue backgrounds...........This is the only M116 I own.
I picked up this Lajoie because I was frustrated I could only find nice Lajoie Portraits that were way over priced.

Charlie

[ethicsprof]

many thanks for the good wishes!!
hope you're doing well with your type collecting.
all the best, ole buddy

barry