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

[shammus]

Saw the "Show something else..." thread and wanted to show off something not commonly seen and something even I haven't seen for a few years. As in....I almost forgot I even had any m116s in my collection at all as I've been focused on caramel cards for so many years! Fortunately, when I went to go retrieve these, they were all still where I last saw them a few years back.

But anyway, you don't see a lot of oddities coming out of the m116 set so I wanted to show off a few of mine.

Despite the fact that these cards haven't really been a part of my "collecting focus" for a long time, m116 Blues are absolutely GORGEOUS cards that are undervalued based on their eye appeal alone. In all, I have a large group of 28 blue backs total. Out of this group, 18 of them have the "LARGER, BRIGHTER AND BETTER THAN EVER!" 5 cent backs. Those players are as follows:

Brown, Bresnahan, Collins, Doyle, Davis, Crawford, Bender, Thomas, Jennings, McQuillan, Dooin, Tenney, Jones, Leach, Jordan, Donovan, Jones, Brown

I don't believe m116 blues come with any other back besides this one but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I also have one "proof" (at least, this is what the card is labeled as in it's GAI AUTHENTIC holder), the Gibson pictured below. It has a smooth, white blank back, is lacking a caption and appears to be a slightly thinner paper stock than the normal cards.

The next six cards are pretty unique. They are part of an advertising piece printed on thick cardboard. They all fit together at one point but were cut apart crudely. If I line them up, they fit together like a puzzle still. The material these pieces are made of are at least 3 times as thick as normal m116s. The blacks are brownish/greyish, blank and give off the impression that they were once a part of a thick cardboard box or advertising poster, or at least a larger strip such as the panel w/ Chance in it. It's heavy like the "puzzle" cards with the crude looking back. These appear to be just like the cards that were hacked up, only still intact as a small 3-card panel.

Anyways, haven't participated in an m116 thread discussion for a while so please feel free to comment, show off your own m116 oddities, etc..etc.. I'm always curious as to what else is out there!

m116bluegroup-001.jpg

m116proof-001.jpg

m116ads.jpg

m116adsback.jpg

panelchance.jpg

[Cooper1927]

I have picked up some M116's in the last month and really like the looks of them. I am thinking about trying for a set.

Thanks for posting the blue background cards, I haven't any of that type yet!

[tbob]

Nice cards Brian. I completed the M116 set a few years ago and am happy I did. I think of all the sets I have that this one is the most undervalued and has the most room for growth. Once you complete the set, you can sit back and go after back variations and the blank back cards, of which I have a few. All the blank back cards I have are blue backgrounds also...
tbob

[TUM301]

Count me in as another fan of this set. I too think this is one of the more undervalued and under appreciated sets out there. Because they`re not as scarce and nicer examples are still affordable, the M 116 set could be just what the doctor ordered to attract new collectors to the hobby. Brian, the uncut Cobb/Wagner panel is still my favorite item in my collection. Thanx again.

[milkit1]

Love those cards! Would KILL for a blank back Chance to go with this one for my team set

m116 brown front.jpg

m116 brown back.jpg

[Leon]

a "not blue" Coombs

[Tao_Moko]

This card is on thick stock. Is it part of the advertising piece or proof?

Thanks,

Eric

[TUM301]

As far as the uncut panels go, this link to a past REA auction may shed some more light on them.
http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2007/267.html

[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

[atx840]

Originally Posted by TUM301

As far as the uncut panels go, this link to a past REA auction may shed some more light on them.
http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2007/267.html

Those are as sexy as cards can get.