[brianp-beme]

Glad to see a little action on this thread. I know I have slightly tweaked its focus, but I think that maybe the issue date can be solidified somehow by establishing the relevance of the back variations. If anyone can do it, Rhett can.

Thanks Todd for claryifying the top to bottom/bottom to top issue...sometimes it is tough for me to successfully describe something of this nature. And thanks Val and especially Jim for your contributions to the verified type one list, and the little photo primer of each back variation. One question for Jim...is the Kilduff the 'leaping' pose? I will leave it on the unconfirmed list until verified.

I do like Val's suggestion of identifying the backs...my eyes also find it easier to locate the positioning of 'Ball' relative to the line above it. Like mentioned previously, I used to measure the first line in millimeters too and still have them identified on my checklist as either 67mm T/B, 71mm T/B or 71mm B/T...now I don't have to carry along a metric ruler.

Jim's back variation percentages roughly parallel what I have (I would have to break out all the duplicates to find out for sure). A theory on the printing could be that the full set was issued with the type 1 back, and that a second, partial printing was issued of the type two and the upside backs on the same sheet (because I have not seen both of these backs together for a single player). If we can confirm that all the backs were issued with the type one backs, then I think that Rhett's contention that these were issued only one year (or perhaps partially reissued later with no changes to front, just the back) is stronger.

I have updated the unconfirmed list of type 1 variations below...feel free to pitch in. There has to be a few more collectors of this silly little set, or at least people that have a type in their collection to help out the cause.

Revised list of unconfirmed type one back variations:

Ty Cobb
Heinie Groh
Rogers Hornsby
Pete Kilduff (leaping)
Carl Mays
Babe Ruth
George Sisler
Earl Smith
Milton Stock (batting)
Fred C. Williams


thanks, Brian