JD McCarthy Postcards

[Zach Wheat]

Does anyone collect JD McCarthy Postcards? I know they were issued over a wide range of years in the 50's. Players bought postcards in bulk so they could be sent out to accomodate autograph requests. They look similar to Exhibits, with a postcard back.

Some postcards appear to be unsigned. Does anyone know if the postcards were produced unsigned and then the players autographed them prior to sending them out? Or were some made with an auto pen signature per the players "specs"?

It is apparent that postcards exist in a signed & unsigned form. Any comments you can give me would be appreciated. I am trying to figure out whether this recent pickup has any likielyhood of containing real autographs of these players.

Here's my recent pickup.....

[D. Broughman]

This is the only one I have. D.

[Zach Wheat]

Just a quick update. It appears that JD McCarthy postdards were produced in signed and unsigned versions. It is difficult to tell if the autographs were ink or printed on the postcards as part of the manufacturing process.

I just received the cards posted above. It is easier to tell in person if the autographs are real or not. The easiets way to tell is by the half-toning or pixellation of the autograph. Different shades are reproduced with different size white or black dots in the printing process. If the autograph has half tones then the autograph was printed and is not genuine.

This was very difficult to tell just by pictures without closeups, but significantly easier to tell with originals in hand. Sadly, the only "genuine" autograph appears to be from Dick Donovan of the White Sox - circa 1958-ish.

[steve B]

Thanks for posting the pics and asking.

I'd always thought the McCarthy ones had the JDM logo. Now that I see a bunch without it, I know what the print blocks I bought were for.

Steve B

[Zach Wheat]

Steve:

Are you referring to this "JDM" print block on the bottom of this postcard? Do you have a pic of the print blocks? Thanks.

[steve B]

Yes that's the JDM I was thinking was on all their postcards.

No pics of the print blocks at the moment, I'll see if I can't round them up on Monday and post some scans. I picked up two late last year on Ebay with no JDM that I could find, and I also have two or three hockey print blocks.

Steve B