Posted By:
Joe_G.I just received my Old Judge pack and was very pleased when I turned it over on its side and read the following printed on the seal:
REFUSE THIS BOX IF EITHER SEAL IS BROKEN
READ BASE BALL NOTICE INSIDE
I'm guessing the baseball notice refers to the N173 offerings. That would also explain why the 2 1887 boxes attached in my initial post above and the two below (Sep 1 1887) from Mile Highs last auction do not have such a printed message. Only the 1888 & 1889 boxes should have this (the years N173s were offered).
These latest two pics also suggest the design change to the box occurred between May & September of 1887.
I'll post a picture of this if there is interest. Unfortunately, it's the worst side of my box which is otherwise very clean. It turns out my box was sitting in a pail sealed in a wall of a house that was built in the late 1880s until very recently (remodeling). Nice to find an Old Judge item so close to home (Mason, MI) and it was tax stamped the last month the Detroit Wolverines played. I like it.
So what about the tax stamps? Do all Old Judge packs from the baseball years have them? Are they always from the 1st day of the month? So far, the five boxes I've looked at all have tax stamps and all are dated from the 1st of the month.
Regards,
Joe Gonsowski