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Posted By: Bob Lemke

What the Flynn proofs are mounted on today cannot in any way be compared to a Wagner card's front and back or a Peck & Snyder, or even an Old Judge cabinet. Those items were intended to be issued to the public in the manner in which you see them today. There was never any such intent with the proof photos. They would have been mounted on something sturdy -- surely NOT a printed Goodwin or other identified cabinet backing -- so that they were protected and viewable by the cigarette people, the printer or whomever participated in deciding whether or not the image made it into production as an N172 or N173. Is a Rembrandt worth any less if it's mounted in a 19th Century frame than a 17th Century frame? As for the buyers . . . anybody who plunks down $10,000 or $20,000 on any item in this hobby should have the sense to thoroughly investigate their proposed purchase regardless of what the seller or numerous uninvolved third parties have to say.

I am going to conclude my participation in this particular "debate". We still seem to be missing each other's points and are unlikely to change anybody's mind.