T206: Extra Bold Polar Bear Back
 

Compare this to a "normal" PB back -- notice how much thicker the type is on this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-Geor...-/141390534999

Is this a common thing?
It's the first time I've noticed it.

Slight, but I see it. I can't think of any reason for it - obviously less dark ink, as evidenced by the border line, but the letters are all still well-defined.

Steve?

Probably underinked, maybe too much water on the plate.

Just like if the plate is too dry the space between the lines on Piedmonts fills up, too damp and fine lines might not hold ink. Especially if they were inking lightly just then.

Plate wear is also a possibility, eventually the bits that won't retain water become worn and won't print.

Steve B

Steve, I compared this backscan very carefully, to one I have that has 'normal' inking. The one in this thread has printing that is just as clear as a 'normal' one, so it doesn't make sense to me that it was simply under inked - if that were the case, I would expect to see fuzzier borders on the letters.

these cards....
 

are missing"part frame lines" as they have been called....I own one....I was assuming plate wear??:confused:

Underinking won't usually change the edges of the inked areas. It does usually affect the perceived color - typically it looks lighter because the ink layer isn't as dense. (Think of old slides, picture two that are just pictures of the same color all over. If they're put together the color appears darker, but isn't. )

Where it shows is on the small areas that don't get much ink anyway. Like the fine lines.

Too much water can have the same effect.

And plate wear is also likely, especially with this one. I went and looked at a normal back, and everything is a bit thicker not just the type.

The plate making process actually partly etches the surface, then coats the surface with different materials one of which repels water. That substance ends up standing a bit above the surface, and as it wears the look of the finished product will change.

We didn't have much issue with plate wear, most of our runs were far less than what the modern plates could handle. Usually a few thousand impressions. So I'm not as up on that as I am on other faults. (Like the enlarged and slightly blurry captions also seem to be plate wear but are the exact opposite effect from what's on the backs. So it might be something else. :confused: ) At some point I need to get together with a couple people I know that have a lot more time in than I do.

Steve B