Negro League Program - Reprint or Original?
 

Hi guys, I bid and won a 1946 East-West Negro League All Star Program this afternoon. I felt it was a pretty good deal for a rare program in strong condition, but I was wondering if anyone has any information on what to look for in regard to reprint vs. original? I didn't know if this particular version was reprinted, but I imagine it may have been since the Bob Feller All Star of the same period was heavily reprinted. If anyone has any information or has a copy for comparison I'd welcome your thoughts. Here is a link to the ended ebay auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255132960016.

Only example I could find to compare to is from Hakes in 2013: https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDe...LASSIC-PROGRAM.

I have many other vintage programs, so perhaps if it is reprinted it will be obvious when I do actually get the item it in hand. However, I know there are also some advanced collectors on here who may be aware of a key or two on these as I do not own any of the other Negro League All Star Programs, reprint or original. Thanks for your time!

Pretty sure the one on Ebay was a Reprint.

I think you will be able to tell for sure once in hand. Then just return it if so.

.....and yes this version was Reprinted.

Thanks, Paul. I suspected as much but figured it was worth a shot. Were all of the East-West programs reprinted in the 90s or just some of them? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

It's hard to tell for sure but it doesn't look like the staples have any rusting. Never seen a program that old with no rusting on the staples.

Thanks Jeff, that was a thought of mine as well though they weren’t pictured well. I will see how it looks when it comes in!

Pretty sure that’s the reprint. You will be able to tell as soon as you get it. The reprint is on glossy stock, the original is not

Thanks Jason, I thought after I looked at it closer that some of those pages had a gloss to them. It also looked like some of the printing was a bit odd, but again didn’t know if that was common in the negro league programs. I figured I’d take a shot and see what it was in person. I definitely don’t think this was a malicious misinformation by the seller.

Negro League AS Program
 

Reminds me a lot of the Feller AS reprint program. When you compare the original to the reprint, in hand, you can easily see the difference. I believe yours is a reprint.

I do not know if ALL were, but I've definitely seen this one more then a few times. Kind of like most of those Negro League Broadsides on Ebay.

It looks like they're placed differently compared to the one in Hakes too.

Also, it looks like the Hake's program has only two staples, while the Ebay program has three.

Good catch on the staples. I received the item today. It does exhibit all things described with the glossy finish, clean staples, and some print marks that shouldn’t have been in an original. The seller had no idea and offered full refund immediately. It was worth a shot. Now I know for next time. Thanks all for your help and expertise!

Glad it worked out and it is a lesson for all of us.
Also shows the strength and value of this forum and its members