Unidentified Lou Gehrig Strip Card
 

This is a new one to me, has anyone here ever seen something like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156387064729

I am including the description and photos for posterity as that link will eventually die.

Circa 1931-33 Uncataloged (W-Unc) Strip Card of Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees, fielding). Measures 3 3/8 inches by 4 5/8 inches. One of a kind card that utilizes a rare photograph of Gehrig. Previously unknown. Monochromatic coloring with cut lines along the bottom and left edges, somewhat similar to the 1931 W517s or 1928-29 R315s. Believed to be a regionally distributed card associated with a New Jersey-based product or business.

First time seeing this Gehrig "issue". It appears to measure a little bit larger than the 3" x 4" W517 cards, so it is of substantial size.

With a price tag of $150,000, my guess is this listing of a card from a previously unknown set (and total lack of documentation) will be with us for quite some time.


Brian

It really reminds me of the style of the Exhibit Supply Co. The lettering is pretty similar to some of those cards, too, although there were several letterings over the years.

Its actually a believable card unlike most fantasy pieces we see here on n54. Cut is far from perfect, has a few creases running through Lou's face. Color and image look good as well as the name font. Just all seems too good for a fantasy piece. What's up with the black lines on the back though? Some sort of bleed maybe? Really hard to say If this is a real piece IMO. I am leaning to liking it though.

It looks like a notebook cover to me although I do not recall seeing that particular one before.

Alan

Closest font I could find was something called Laurino developed in 2018. Some clear similarities but by no means a clear hit.

https://fontmeme.com/fonts/lourino-font/

That is a 150k gamble, if you ask me.
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I might take a flyer on it for say $1,500 . . . .but clearly playing with fire.

Kind of reminds me of the Canadian exhibit cards with the mimiograph purple color.

The red cut out lines (visible on lower.left) seem modern to me. In both color and type

Those red cut out lines are a concern to me too.
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They bother me for a different reason. If you are printing a monochromatic purple card why are you going to the expensive of adding a different color for the trim lines?

Doing a quick dive, seller has been arguing with people on social media about this card for over a year.

Back in the olden days of this board, this seller was constantly defending their cards/business practices here as well. It was a fine day indeed when they suddenly stopped posting.

Brian

Well, one way to make a quick determination is to black-light the card. Does it fluoresce and disprove a prewar origin?

Black light, loupe, and hold it over a lamp and see if light goes through. Pretty easy. If it passes through, probably fake. If it fluoresces, probably fake. Use a loupe to see if it was printed on an inkjet or laser printer.

Seems you didn't give it much room for not being fake?

The sellers are very experienced and have no doubt done all of that. I think it passes the obvious tests; is the age and looks the age.
The question remains though, what is it?
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I dunno; why are these unique ones Cobb or Gehrig or Ruth but never Joe Shlabotnick?

Concur. Maybe it isn't a fake. It's real easy to find out.