1920 Babe Ruth RPPC Research Help
 

I'm trying to research this postcard that came in as a possible consignment for our Spring auction.

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...9_214846_1.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...109_214902.jpg

There was a detailed thread on it back in 2014... thread

Having it in hand, it looks good under a loupe and passes black light tests.

Societe Anonyme, Inc. did use postcards produced by Photo Roto Inc. like this legit 1920's postcard...

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...9-203955_2.png

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...9-220455_2.png

Photo Roto, Inc also used the same back type as the Ruth before 1920 as seen with this 1913 postcard...

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...c2-768x485.jpg

Here's the back of the other known Ruth RPPC, hard to read but also Photo Roto Inc.

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/...rotoruthpc.jpg

So I guess my question after all this, is the Ruth postcard legit? Is there something I'm missing to suggest that it's not period? Could Societe Anonyme, Inc. have simply used older Photo Roto, Inc. postcard stock to produce the Ruth card in 1920? Any and all help/opinions are much appreciated!

It does look a little different now, having held a lot of rppc's over the last several years. And If the back is stamped on then I think it's very suspect.

I think the back is printed and not stamped.

What looks different now?

Well, the corners look rounded but not worn? And as mentioned the back just looks stamped and not printed. Soon I will probably be showing a card that has fooled a TPG while another one got it right, with the same scenario except it's a card. Some of these cards are very difficult to tell if good or not and I don't blame TPGs for being careful on them. If it is a true albumen photo then it's probably ok as I am not aware of any fake albumen photos out there (there probably are I just haven't seen them). So, if under a microscope you can pick out the little hairs in the albumen it should be fine. Study the photo and that will lead to the answer, imo. I think the long story before was probably accurate and I would be skeptical. And we know Frank W sold some things that were questionable before. I would look closely at the patina and the feel of the card too.

Image looks a little washed out for an RPPC.

agree

If there was normal age on it wouldn't it be silvered and faded?