1940s-1950s Anonymous Premium Photos

[GehrigFan]

Okay, so this set is right on the cusp of qualifying for the pre-war board... but that's actually my question. Does anyone know much of anything about this set? There are 12 photos checklisted in SCD, but there are others out there (I have a Ruth/Gehrig that is not listed). I know it is a long shot that anyone knows who made these, but are there any theories on why SCD attributes that date range? All of the players generally ended their careers in the 1940's or earlier, with the exception of Feller (1936-1956).

There are a couple football players also, but both appear to be college images as they both won Heisman trophies in the mid-1940's. Glenn David won in 1946, and was drafted in 1947, then finished in 1950-51, so it seems far more likely a premium would be issued when he was at the top of his game in the mid to late 40's instead of in the 50's after his NFL career amounted to a lackluster single season.

Based on the paper/photo stock and toning of my examples, I would think these were 1940's and no later.

I suppose it doesn't matter too much, but as a pre-1950 Ruth/Gehrig collector, I'd kind of like to figure out if these are pre-1950 or not.

Any thoughts?

[drc]

Mid-1940s Heisman Trophy winners in college garb very strongly suggests a 1940s issue. You would not expect a mid 1950s issue to exclude all 1950s winners in order to picture 1940s winners, as the most recent Heisman winner is in the highest demand with collectors, then and today.

[GehrigFan]

Agreed. I strongly believe this set is specifically from 1946 or 1947.

SCD does not list the football players, and that is the best way to date this. They are Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis, and that's how I zero in on 1946-47. Glenn Davis won the Heisman in 1946, and was drafted in 1947, but didn't play in the NFL except for the 1950-51 season, so it seems far more likely a premium would be issued when he was at the top of his game in college in the mid to late 40's instead of in the 50's after his NFL career ended after one lackluster season. Blanchard won the Heisman in 1945, was drafted in 1946, but never played in the NFL.

I just discovered that both of these guys played themselves in the movie "The Spirit of West Point" in 1947, so it is possible they were included due to the timing of the movie. It seems unlikely these should be dated anytime after the 1947 movie.

[sporteq]

Mid to late 40`s these been around forever .. i remember way back when they try to pass them off as period premium photos. That would be pre-ebay time.

aL