Are the 1917 Felix Mendelsohn photos considered proofs?
 

I recently acquired these two Felix Mendelsohn photos from 1917. Though they are of subjects not included in the cardset Ive seen others that were. Does anyone know if these photos were specifically done for the purpose of making the card set?

Thanks

Attachment 484077

Attachment 484078

Hi Sean

I have three of the Mendelsohn photos that were used for a card - not sure how they were manufactured but they are really cool pieces. Here is one that was used for a card...

Hi Chris

Thanks for sharing! My only assumption is that since these were made pretty quickly into cards that that was their purpose to begin with. I really like the Mendelsohn stamp on it :)

"Original art." I wouldn't call them proofs

I'll take it!

I believe it quite likely that Mendelsohn took the photos or paid to have them taken in contemplation of producing the m101-6 set. His ad in September 1917 claimed the pics had never been published before and many are dated to that year.https://photos.imageevent.com/imover...m1016_adlg.jpg

As a publisher, it is possible he was also thinking about using the photos in a book or some other format, but given that he already had produced at least the m101-4/5 and E135ish sets in the preceding 18 months, he may have just intended to stick to "cards".

By the way, how do you know the pics are not of subjects from the m101-6 set? The top photo looks like Duffy Lewis to me, who is listed in some checklists for the set, although I do no recall seeing an m101-6 for him. Many collectors believe the checklist is incomplete, as more than the stated 100 have been confirmed.

Excellent research! Thanks for sharing!
I have Duffy Lewis and Hal Janvrin. Even though Lewis is listed in the checklist I havent seen one yet. Until I have I'll consider it an unused one. On the other hand that could mean that the Hal Janvrin could exist too?
One thing I noticed with my photos is they lack a little clarity in the face compared to others that were used in cards. I wondered if ol Felix was really picky about what photos he used. Either way they are still really cool. I'll keep up hope that one day a Lewis card will show up

Wow. That is great information and interesting history behind the photo’s and cards

This is one of my favorite sets

Thanks for sharing

+1. Not necessarily one of my fave sets but pretty great looking cards nonetheless.
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mendelsohn
 

I have a Mendelsohn of Doc Ayers, which doesn't appear in any of the card sets mentioned. You don't see many Mendelsohn prints.
Francis Burke also provided a number of photos for the 101-4 Sporting News set.
Originals for that series turn up from time to time.
lumberjack