New theory regarding the T206 brown LENOX cards....show us some of these rare dudes

[Blitzu]

It's funny you say that Ted because I'm avid T80 collector as well and I have seen more uzit's and even blanks then I've seen of the Cairo monopols. In my opinion those are the rarest T80's, but with uzit and blanks right there too.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Blitzu

It's funny you say that Ted because I'm avid T80 collector as well and I have seen more uzit's and even blanks then I've seen of the Cairo monopols. In my opinion those are the rarest T80's, but with uzit and blanks right there too.

You're correct....but, for those here that are unfamiliar with the T80 set......

On any given day on ebay....there are 100's of T80 cards (mostly TOLSTOI) with a few LENOX and some UZIT.

Whatever, but seldom will you see a CAIRO MONOPOL or an OLD MILL for sale. If there is one, it will be selling for $500 - $1000 (if in decent condition).


TED Z
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[caramelcard]

Hi Ted,

I don't think the CM backs are the same color as the brown lenox. Cairo Monopols are more black.

CM backs are tough, but Old Mills are just as tough in my experience if not tougher.

Either way, I 100% believe that studying t80s will shed a bunch of light T206...somehow.

It's very hard to compare back scarcity across the two sets though. Tolstoi backs were arguably listed in greater numbers than even the entire T206 tolstoi population.

Again, Old Mill backs are really difficult for T80s, but we know they're a common T206 back.

And Lenox T80s aren't very hard to find. Blank backed T80s might be just as hard to locate as a blank back T206.

Anyways, great theory, but in my opinion brown lenox backs are a lot different than the color of a Cairo Monopol back.

Rob

[tedzan]

Sorry, but I have to differ with you, old buddy.


Sure, the lettering "CAIRO MONOPOL" on my T80 is darker than the usual T206 brown LENOX color.

However, the brown color of the lettering:

"Cigarettes

MILITARY SERIES

ASSORTED SUBJECTS"

Is very similar to the color of the T206 brown LENOX cards.






Furthermore, as we know....the inks used in the Jan - Mar 1911 press runs of the last stages of T206 production vary in intensity (from light to dark).
Namely the BLUE ink of PIEDMONT 460 Factory 42 cards and UZIT cards......and, also the BROWN ink used on T80 cards.


..



TED Z
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[Jobu]

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[trdcrdkid]

For what it's worth --

The T80 Cairo Monopol that Ted posted used to belong to me, but I traded it to him while keeping another one that I still have. Here are scans of the backs of the two cards side by side, with the one that's now Ted's on the left and the one I still have on the right:



The ink on the right one looks maybe a little darker than the ink on the left one (Ted's), though it's not a dramatic difference, and scans can be deceptive. I just pulled out that card (the one on the right) and looked at it under a bright light, and I could definitely see it as dark brown. However, under the same bright light it's definitely darker than the ink on my T206 Broad Leaf 350, which in turn is noticeably darker than a Hindu (both pictured below). The Cairo Monopol is more brown than the ink on my better black Lenox (or the Cycle 350), but not as noticeably as the Broad Leaf or the Hindu.



So, the results are ambiguous, but I thought I would throw in my two cents.

[caramelcard]

I don't have a brown lenox in my collection to compare it to in person and it's difficult to compare with scans, but I see what you're saying about the lower half of the CM backs having a browner hue.

Very interesting.

[tedzan]

Check-out Sean's brown LENOX in Post #16 in this thread and compare with my T80.






The lettering "CAIRO MONOPOL" on my T80 is somewhat darker than the usual T206 brown LENOX color.

However, the brown color of the lettering:

"Cigarettes

MILITARY SERIES

ASSORTED SUBJECTS"

Is very similar to the color of the T206 brown LENOX cards.



TED Z
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[MVSNYC]

Ted, I have a great eye...the Lenox isn't as dark as the Cairo. Perhaps Sean can post a hi-res, non-fuzzy scan, then we can properly compare.

[tedzan]

Are you comparing the characters below the brand "LENOX" with the characters below the brand "CAIRO MONOPOL" ?

If not....then you will NOT get an accurate color comparison.

The boldness of the CAIRO MONOPOL lettering (with respect to the LENOX lettering) creates an illusion that it is darker brown.


TED Z
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[Sean]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Ted, I have a great eye...the Lenox isn't as dark as the Cairo. Perhaps Sean can post a hi-res, non-fuzzy scan, then we can properly compare.

Sorry Mike, I know that it's not very good, but that's the only scanner that I have.