Posted By:
Frank WakefieldMost of the post WW II paper has brighteners added during manufacture. These brighteners fluoresce, or glow, when illuminated with ultraviolet light. the white border tobacco cards, T206s, don't fluoresce. Some modern cards do. T206 reprints glow big time.
If you're going to buy many old cards, get a black light. I have a really good (but bogus) Remar Bread PCL card I bought that fluoresced when I got it. My others from that year didn't. I emailed the seller, and he said keep the card and he replaced my Paypal payment. In looking at his past auctions I got the feeling that he was a forthright fellow who didn't realize it was a reprinted card. I've kept it so that when I attempt to show young collectors about the use of a black light I have a good demonstration.
The one I have I bought from a nice member of this board, who got several and sold them to us. I see similar ones on eBay for $12 to $15.