1926 Sports Company of America question...
 

There is a seller on ebay that has numerous cards from this set...all have a blank back. I am only aware of ad back version cards and stat back version cards. Were these maybe cut from a sheet, or are blank back versions - which are being sold in all of the auctions - legitimate? I have some of the golf cards in my own collection, but this appears to be about a complete set of cards from this issue. Any knowledge from anyone here is appreciated.

Dave

Yes Ive actually owned many of the blank back cards. The stock is the same thickness and print is the same quality. I think it was a sheet made for a store display. Ive seen them a couple times in groups on eBay in the past, sort of like what you mentioned now on eBay. All Ive had were sort of badly handcut (years ago?) with the sizes varying a bit, and Ive also seen a few of the bio back cards also handcut too, so the sheets were also known with the back printed as well.

The toughest cards are the "ad back" cards, and obviously the 1927 Ruth variation, and the 1925 preproduction proof cards (see below).


http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1926spcollins.jpg http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1926spschalk.jpg
example of 2 blank backs I have now


http://centuryoldcards.com/images/19...proofsheet.jpg
1925 preproduction proof sheet (sent to Geo Kelly)

The 1925 proof cards are also known as singles, Geo. Kelly was sent a few back in 1925 with a letter asking for his permission to be used in the set, it was a follow up letter asking again after he never replies to the first letter (he rejected the offers), it was for sale on eBay within the last couple years, along with the sheet above and a few of the preproduction proof singles.

http://centuryoldcards.com/images/19...ofdempseyb.jpg
example of the back of a single card form the 1925 preproduction proof style cards (also sent to Kelly)

sheets
 

Since there have been several blank back sheets floating around the hobby for years I always have thought the blank back cards were just cut from them. The fact that Frank says his have looked hand cut validates this somewhat. Still not proof positive but I can't see any reason they would have been issued with blank backs. Here are the 3 different ad backs, including the 1927 copyright w/Ruth on the front. ....Thanks for the info FKW...

I found the image of the letter on my old computer...

Here is the Letter sent to George Highpockets Kelly, with some interesting info about the set

wonder why he didnt go for it???

Looks like it was sent during Spring Training 1926... not 1925 as I said earlier.

http://centuryoldcards.com/images/19...ellyletter.jpg

Ive owned 3 Joe Sewell cards that were autographed by him (have 2 now, seen below), and seen at least a couple others too. Im thinking each person in the set got 500 free cards ??? Never thought about that before I just reread the letter.

http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1926spsewellauto.jpg http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1926spsewellauto1.jpg

Any thoughts as to whether the ones now on ebay are handcut? Some do look just a touch irregular to me, but still pretty nice if they really are handcut.

hand cut
 

my vote would be hand cut but I am not sure...

What is the background on the 27 Ruth? Is it basically just a second printing like for books? There's a huge premium on this card, and I just don't know if it's worth it. In a way, it seems more like the different years in the Diamond Stars set. The Ad/No Ad seems more like a true different card as opposed to the copyright date.

Yes Handcut, I just looked at them for the first time right now. The left and right borders are narrow (compare to Leon's cards) and some have rough cuts and obvious scissor evidence like the 1st 2 I linked below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1926-Sports-Co-A...-/120711190544

http://cgi.ebay.com/1926-Sports-Co-A...-/120711188009

http://cgi.ebay.com/1926-Sports-Co-A...-/120710790236

agreed
 

I agree completely. They look handcut from a full sheet. Some of the cards have a crease in exactly the same place making me think that they were on top of each other on the sheet when the sheet was folded.

good detective work :)

The seller has confirmed they are handcut.

I like this thread and I love this board. I asked Leon earlier, basically, these same questions. Im always impressed and indebted for the knowledge.

There were a bunch of these offered for sale on ebay last week. I was bidding on a Homer Hazel FB card but lost it. I am interested in obtaining this card. Anyone know of the whereabouts of another??

Sports Co. of America
 

Redemption Coupon in Wax paper :

Sports Co Sheet 'Cards'
 

Are there any examples that have been graded? If so are they all Authentic or any numeric grades assigned.

I guess I am asking if there is anything definitive linking the sheets to advertising or an actual blank back print sheet that never completed the printing process?

blank back sheets
 

I have seen approximately 3-5 blank backed sheets in 15 yrs of looking. There was one in the last Legendary Auctions auction. It got a little bit overlooked and went for around 2k....I would bet a few sheets have been cut up though I don't know of any specifically.

Here are a couple of sheet cut (ad backs '26). If not they are poorly trimmed.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...BST/26SpCo.jpg

Like Jeffs Ive also had about 1/2 dozen chopped cards with the bio backs. I say chopped because most were not cut well making me think they were cut along time ago. They were all from the same seller on eBay quite a few years ago.
I havent paid attention to the uncut sheets Ive seen, dont know if they were all blank backed or if some had printing.

Here is the only handcut bio back I have now...
http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1926spgoslin.jpg