E121-80 Mystery Back Revisited

[sreader3]

Here is my annual thread about my Joe Judge E121-80 with oddball back in case anyone has new information. The back is the same as Type 1 (as defined by Rhett Y.) except that:

1. It is reversed relative to Type 1;
2. The wording on the first line is smaller than Type 1;
3. The wording on the first line is center justified whereas the wording on the first line of Type 1 is full justified.

Although the card is machine-cut, since it is badly off-center I'm starting to think it may have been some sort of prototype or test print.

Has anyone seen another example of this "mystery" back, which I call Type 4?

Front and back scans provided below, along with a scan of a Type 1 back.

Any help appreciated. If none, I'll try again next year!

Thanks.

Scot

[rhettyeakley]

Scot, it definitely looks like we have a "Type 4" E121-80 back here. I recently saw a Ray Schalk and George Sisler with this back on ebay. Unfortunately, I saw them only after they had ended. I suspect one of our own pounced on them before I could. I wouldn't mind picking up one of these backs if someone has one they aren't married to.

-Rhett

[sreader3]

Rhett,

Thanks very much for the information.

Glad to hear my Judge card is not a one-off "freak" or a reprint of some sort that slipped by SGC. (Didn't think so because I bought it as part of a lot of unquestionable authenticity).

Type 4 it is!

Scot

[brianp-beme]

I have a Jennings and Milan E121 series of 80 cards with reversed backs--I will have to check them out and get back with you all in a day or two if they are like the Judge shown.

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Looks like my Jennings and Milan are plain old garden variety reversed back Series of 80 E121's--I might as well stuff them in the shredder now. That Judge is a nice variation to a set that rivals the T206 for complexity and mystery.

Brian

[old-baseball]

Here's the Sisler that I recently purchased. Paid well for it because I needed the front (throwing poses). I like the deal much better now! I did check all the cards in my collection. This is the only one that I have with the "Type 4" reverse.

[sreader3]

Brian,

Thanks for checking. I agree that E121 is plenty mysterious. My guess is there are more front and/or back variations that have yet to be discovered.

Scot

[sreader3]

Nice Type 4--and a HOFer to boot!