JD McCarthy postcard question
 

I have only dabbled in acquiring one here and there for my Dodgers collection but I would like to gain a little better understanding of these if possible.

They don't have years associated to them because my understanding is that they were ordered over and over again by the players over a number of years but I was wondering, design-wise, how can I identify ones that are earlier or older than others without the use of a postal stamp on back? Is there a way or were they designed based on what the player requested? Also, are the photograph paper ones reprints and not original?

Here are the different ones I've identified. Can someone please help me put them in chronological order if possible and fill in any gaps of variations I may not have listed?

1. Postcard stock - stamp box back with two production lines also on back
2. Postcard stock - NO stamp box on back, ONLY single production line on back
3. Photograph paper - back same as #2
4. Front image plain, photo only
5. Front image with only JM logo in corner
6. Front image with JM logo AND name box
7. Front image with only name box
8. Multiple variations with linen card stock

Here are front variations including Osteen Linen stock

Master Checklist
 

Joe,

The JD McCarthy "master checklist" I have seen does not differentiate between types of card stock and years, but does state the various players/poses which are supposed to be listed in a chronological order. The list was hand collated paper list.

Recent addition to my collection. Not sure Which back type this is. But I know Red is a rare one. As it's the first I've seen of him for sale in a very long time.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9bc5a70115.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b557bc7df1.jpg

Your list of types is a lot more detailed than anything else I've seen. The only dating I've seen people do for these postcards is to note whether the postcard has JD McCarthy's zip code on the back. If it does, then it is from after the time when zip codes went into effect, which I believe was about 1963. Also, the very early McCarthy postcards are larger in size.

The only really reliable dating i know of is postmarks. I will pay more for a postally-used card with a clear date on it; ironically, they often sell for less because they won't slab better than a 1.5.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...Autod%20PC.jpg

Mailed in 1957 from Brooklyn? Yeah, that's a rookie. And this is from Koufax's final season:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...igned%20PC.jpg

The most you can do otherwise is rule out certain date claims as anachronisms (e.g., a Los Angeles Dodgers hat cannot be made pre-1958). Besides that, dating is inductive reasoning: a certain cap or uni style only proves the earliest date of manufacture, not the actual or last.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ibson%20PC.jpg

I have seen this card sold as a Gibson rookie or with any of a variety of dates attributed to it. This photo has to be 1962-63 because the Cardinals first put front numbers on the jersey in 1962 and went to red caps in 1964 for home, all games in 1965. A claim that it is pre-1962 is an anachronism: cannot be true. 1962-63 cannot be established either. The card could have been made any time after the photo was taken. The absence of a ZIP code on the back only proves that the back was typeset before McCarthy created a ZIP code back for this card, not when it was printed, though it does suggest that it was printed pre-ZIP code because McCarthy did put them on the cards eventually.

That pre-zip code info is a good clue.


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Is Will Allison on the Board? Check this guy's collection out... Has type designations for each back too. Wowee.

https://imageevent.com/willallison/mccarthy

Glad to finally find out exactly what type my Jackie is.
I always had a bit of doubt/concern if these blank backs were legit or not so that is good I can put this to bed.

I tried to reply/email the person at the bottom of his link but was denied as I am not an imageevent member. Just thought he'd like to know about this site if he/she doesn't already?

I found a J.D. McCarthy card that I think may be a bit more on the rare side, he only played for the cubs in 59 & 60
Mark Freeman, 1959 photo

any feedback on this one would be appreciated
take a look at the image below

Thanks
Dave
gfg@gfg.com

https://www.gfg.com/ebay/freemanfront.jpg

https://www.gfg.com/ebay/freemanback.jpg

Hi, Irv. That Jackie Robinson wasn't produced by McCarthy, but the blank back version is a legitimate vintage issue. The card can also be found with a JJK Copy Art reverse and with a divided-back postcard reverse, so there are three versions total (that I know of), not counting the Old Gold Cigarettes version, which uses the same image but has additional text on the front.

Hi Adam, Will Allison here. Any chance you'd consider trading or selling that 1957 J.D. McCarthy Don Drysdale? For what it's worth, McCarthy did produce an earlier card of Drysdale, a standing pose. I have an example postmarked 1956. You can see it here:

https://imageevent.com/willallison/mccarthy

Hi, Lucas. I'm on the board but late to this thread. Thanks for posting the link to my ImageEvent gallery.

Also that George Brace PC of Bob Gibson is likely from 1965. I've documented three postmarked versions from 1965 and have seen none earlier.