Posted By:
robert aThere are several problems with assuming E98 was inserted into the same product as other identifiable candy sets.
The whole E98 mystery is often more confusing when you approach the study of the set with E93, E94, and E97 in mind.
Although it's tempting to say the set is similar to e94 because each set uses different color backgrounds, it's not enough to go on since there are so many differences in the design of the two sets and there are other unrelated sets that have color variations.
Same thing with e97 and e93...there are several similiarities, but it doesn't really prove anything. E93 shares the most players in common with e98 and both sets have numbers on the back of each card. The 4 sets share many characteristics, but I don't think e98 was produced by Standard Caramel, Briggs, or Close candy.
The Old Put stamp adds a bit to the mystery. It is possible e98 was inserted into more than one product and the cards remained anonymous because of that reason. Or perhaps they were made available to specific retail shops where the retailer could do with them as he pleased. I have many e98s with an orange colored stain on the back of them. These stains appear brighter to me than the stains often found on e95/e96 and other caramel issues and could be from a lozenge. I also have some e98s with "normal," caramel-looking stains.
Robert