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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

and others may have found Weils tougher, but I stand by my earlier assertion. Based on my intense(maybe obsessive) accumulation of M101-4s for a few years now, here's my estimate of back scarcity (this is research in progress that I hope will culminate in an article):

These rankings pertain only to M101-4; M101-5 is a different kettle of cards.

Most common by far: Blank

Slightly scarce:
Sporting News
Standard Biscuit
Weil Baking

Mildly scarce:
Gimbel's
The Globe
Famous & Barr (very common in M101-5, but a lot less so in M101-4)

Somewhat scarce:
Herpolshimer
Indianapolis Brewing*
* The availability of the Indianapolis Brewing back has recently been raised by the appearance of a complete set in very low grade. I believe this is somewhat misleading, and that in terms of the number of copies per player, this back may be as scarce as some of the ones below.

These seven backs, listed alphabetically, are all extremely scarce. Nobody really knows which is the toughest, because the reported numbers are so small that it’s difficult to study them:
Altoona Tribune
Block & Kuhl
Burgess-Nash
Everybody's
Green/Joyce
Morehouse Baking
Ware's Basement

Almost never seen:
Mall Theater