Question regarding M101-5 'The Sporting News'

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Posted By: Ben

I'm considering this M101-5 Walter Johnson, but the seller tells me that the back of the card is BLANK.



The Standard Catalogue makes no mention of blank baked versions of this issue, so I'm wondering if this means that it is a reprint. Can anybody give me some advice on this card? THANKS

Ben

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Posted By: leon

It is real....they all started out with blank backs....The Sporting News made them (I believe), put their ad on the back, and sold others to other companies, to use with their own ads....it's real..There are around 20 different ad backs.......good luck and best regards

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Posted By: Ben

Thanks Leon. This baby is as good as MINE.

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Posted By: nolemmings (Todd)

The m101-5s are often found blank backed- in fact, over the past year, I believe there have been about as many Ebay auctions for blank backed m101-5s as TSN ad backs (same cannot be said for m101-4s).

I'm generally leery of blank backs, because they have been reprinted and are easier to fake if you don't have to worry about the backs. I recall hearing that some Famous & Barr reprints were circulating years back, but have not seen one (fake, that is)personally.

Although others might disagree, I believe that the m101-5 reprints have more noticeable space between the photo and the frame than do the originals. Also, the reprints are thinner--almost translucent-- at least the Fritsch reprints are, and usually are a little whiter, although that can certainly be doctored.

The Johnson card you're considering looks completely legit--nice pick up. Todd

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Posted By: Andy Baran

The card in that scan is absolutely authentic.

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Posted By: Todd (nolemmings)

I'm attempting to insert a scan of m101-5 reprint Walter johnson for comparison.

Is it possible there is a typeset variation? Note the short dash between P and Washington, as well as how far below the frame the text is located. Can the authentic WJ look like this too- as some sort of variation?

I have compared the Frisch reprints to a vast majority of authentic m101-4 specimens (I don't collect m101-5s per se)and this is the only card where I have seen this dash difference. Maybe the original comes with both short and long dash. Although that is hardly enough for alot of excitement, maybe youz with the real deal can look and tell us what size dash is shown.

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Posted By: Ben

This graded m101-4 has the very same dash as the one above...

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Posted By: Todd (nolemmings)

Ben,
I have seen or handled 4 WJ M101-4s in the past year or so, all of which looked like the one you just inserted. I'm still puzzled by the m101-5, though. Yours- or the one you're about to acquire- is legit. But I wonder aloud why Larry Fritsch reprints of the m101-5s seem to be completely accurate, and yet he has this "short dash" version. Have not seen another authentic m101-5 in recent memory, so am hoping those who own one will check to see what the dash lloks like.
Regards...........todd