[Archive]

Posted By: Andy Baran

Hal,

Here are a few more facts, the first of which I believe is indisputable:

1.) February 24, 1916 is earlier than April 16, 1916.

2.) Companies like Famous & Barr which used the M101-5 set would have no reason to advertise it in publications like TSN, so the fact that there are no ads does not in any way indicate that the cards were not in distribution.

3.) Just because Mendohlson was taking ORDERS on March 16, 1916, there is no way to confirm that the cards were ready to ship anywhere near that date. They may have had plans for that set (and even a few samples) by that date, but very well may have waited several months before going into production to wait and see what the demand would be. Companies do this today, so it's not inconceivable to think that they did that in 1916. If I have to prove that the M101-5 set was distributed by supplying an ad, then you have to prove that the M101-4 set was READY FOR SHIPMENT on April 16th by supplying a Post Dated Envelope. Without the envelope, there is no PROOF that the cards were ready to ship.

None of your arguments PROVE that the sets were distributed at the same time, just like none of my agruments PROVE that the M101-5 was distributed prior to the M101-4. Therefore, I believe it is REASONABLE, PROBABLE, and to steal your term LOGICAL to assume that the UPDATED M101-4 set was distributed AFTER the M101-5 set.