I think Andrew has done well with most of his list and opinions. However, I feel there are a few problems with Andrew's list. First off, you cannot just go by the number of backs a card is available with. Several of these cards are rare even though they come with several different backs. Also, several cards are missing from this list that are actually fairly rare.
The Collins and Breshnahan mouth open are rare (As with several of the other front changes like Ford, Chase, Wiltse, Harmon, etc). They are just not seen as often as the others. In fact, in my research, they are both pretty difficult cards. It is not collector's hoarding them (Joss) or a bump because of popularity and scandal (Cicotte). They are truly in smaller numbers.
Andrew leaves off a few as well...Vaugn, Rowan, Fisher, Sweeney, and possibly Walsh (just not convinced yet but many collectors say this is tougher than many)
These cards are not only historically difficult but seem to be short printed.
The print runs are unknown. Years ago, I ventured that the 12 minor leaguers replaced some of the rarer cards in the set in the middle of the print run. I think this happened with some of the variations as well. I think this probably happened after Addie Joss died as well. This means that although they had different advertising, it was because when the run stopped at one advertising, the plates were changed before the next advertising back was run. I also feel that some cards might have been changed in the middle of the run and some sheets could have been double printed while one sheet was changed. It is impossible to know without detailed factory information.
Joshua
|