Quote:
Originally Posted by onlychild
Leon, tell us about the paper...that should tell part (or most) of the story? Is it thicker, thinner, rougher, smoother etc.? I am confident that you have handled enough cards to make an educated feel. Louping the fibers may also give some more info. BTW, do you need a good loupe  ? My guess is that if it was cut from an ad piece the paper would be a different texture altogether.
...it could be an underprint 
Kevin Saucier
..
. |
Kevin- I think you could be on to something with the underprint theory. But in all seriousness
I have handled a few cards. My good friend, and Sr.Vintage grader at Beckett, Andy B, has seen and handled a few cards too. Since this came through the Beckett guys, Andy had a chance to study them also. I have also shown them to Derek Grady and Mark Macrae at the National. Everyone has said, yeap, either an ad piece or scrap
. The cards have the same smooth feel on the front (very vintage) as regular cards. I always say if I can put a card between my fingers and feel it then I should have a good idea if it's very old paper or not. There is no doubt whatsoever this is vintage paper. The back of them have the same feel as the backs of regular E100's. I also just happen to have 2 raw E100s and 2 raw E99s right next to my desk. I just put them in my hands and the unknown cards in my hand at the same time. They truly feel the same. If I had to guess I would say the ones in question might be a millimeter thinner than the regular cards. Just a hair, not much more. Under a lighted loupe (sorry I already have a few that I make do with) the printing is absolutely the same; same dot patterns to a T. The dot patterns actually make me think scrap whereas the paper, and it's infinitesimal thickness difference, makes me think ad piece. I think there is a good chance they were cut from ad pieces (though the printing is identical which is strange) and made into cards, back in the day. Until we find an ad piece, or something that will give us more clues, I don't see this mystery being solved. best regards