Posted By:
Joe_G.In a broad sense, there are several reasons why many of the Old Judge questions go un-answered. Here are a few:
A) It's a mysterious set, much is still unknown by those most knowledgeable and will remain so for perhaps eternity.
B) As already mentioned, it is in the best interest of some (advanced collectors) to keep information to themselves (although I believe this usually isn't the case).
C) The question as posed in this thread would be specific enough for some sets, but when you're talking Old Judges it's way too broad. Read on . . .
I will answer part of your question by looking at 1887 alone, after all it will only point out that the cards I collect, "0" numbered Detroits should be cheap as they are plentiful 
1887 alone can be broken down into 4 main categories as follows (listed in chronological order from when production likely began).
1) Script (includes Spotted Ties, King Kelly cards with Chicago, etc.)
2) Short Numbered Cards (includes Browns Champs, the King Kelly cards with Boston etc.)
3) Long or Leading "0" cards Type 1 (includes all 8 National League teams + Brooklyn)
4) Long or Leading "0" cards Type 2 (copies of type 1 cards but now instead of 'OLD JUDGE Cigarettes' being displayed as a semicircular banner, they are found in a rectangular box with the name, position, and team written in script below the photo)
Then there are subsets within the types such as the Brooklyn Minis (which I hope everyone will read about in the next issue of "Old Cardboard" Magazine!).
BTW, many on this board could likely look at an 1887 Old Judge and immediately determine which of the 4 categories above or more correctly which type it is. If you can't and have an interest in collecting the set, you should purchase Lew Lipsets 19th century Encyclopedia and study it.
Moving on, the difficulty of obtaining an 1887 Old Judge depends in large part on which type it is and whether the player was popular from time of production to today etc. Having stated that, I would suggest the various types of 1887 cards rank as follows (most scarce too most common):
1) Brooklyn Minis (which are a subset of the type 1 "0" number cards)
2) Script
3) Short Numbered
4) Long or Leading "0" Number - Type 2
5) Long or Leading "0" Number - Type 1 (except Brooklyn Minis)
1 & 2 are certainly more rare than 3-5. I'd venture to say there are some 1888, some 1889, and even some 1890 cards that show up more routinely than some of the 1887 cards, a year which is usually loosely referred to as the most plentiful.
There are so many variables. Don't be frustrated, sometimes the lack of a reply is due to the complexity of the set. It's not always because someone is trying to hold back information.
It's a great set, offers great challenges from the beginner to advanced collector. Have fun with it and sell me those oh so common Detroit Old Judges
Regards,
Joe Gonsowski