1926 Sports Company of America question...

[Golfcollector]

There is a seller on ebay that has numerous cards from this set...all have a blank back. I am only aware of ad back version cards and stat back version cards. Were these maybe cut from a sheet, or are blank back versions - which are being sold in all of the auctions - legitimate? I have some of the golf cards in my own collection, but this appears to be about a complete set of cards from this issue. Any knowledge from anyone here is appreciated.

Dave

[fkw]

Yes Ive actually owned many of the blank back cards. The stock is the same thickness and print is the same quality. I think it was a sheet made for a store display. Ive seen them a couple times in groups on eBay in the past, sort of like what you mentioned now on eBay. All Ive had were sort of badly handcut (years ago?) with the sizes varying a bit, and Ive also seen a few of the bio back cards also handcut too, so the sheets were also known with the back printed as well.

The toughest cards are the "ad back" cards, and obviously the 1927 Ruth variation, and the 1925 preproduction proof cards (see below).



example of 2 blank backs I have now



1925 preproduction proof sheet (sent to Geo Kelly)

The 1925 proof cards are also known as singles, Geo. Kelly was sent a few back in 1925 with a letter asking for his permission to be used in the set, it was a follow up letter asking again after he never replies to the first letter (he rejected the offers), it was for sale on eBay within the last couple years, along with the sheet above and a few of the preproduction proof singles.


example of the back of a single card form the 1925 preproduction proof style cards (also sent to Kelly)

[Leon]

Since there have been several blank back sheets floating around the hobby for years I always have thought the blank back cards were just cut from them. The fact that Frank says his have looked hand cut validates this somewhat. Still not proof positive but I can't see any reason they would have been issued with blank backs. Here are the 3 different ad backs, including the 1927 copyright w/Ruth on the front. ....Thanks for the info FKW...

[fkw]

I found the image of the letter on my old computer...

Here is the Letter sent to George Highpockets Kelly, with some interesting info about the set

wonder why he didnt go for it???

Looks like it was sent during Spring Training 1926... not 1925 as I said earlier.

[fkw]

Ive owned 3 Joe Sewell cards that were autographed by him (have 2 now, seen below), and seen at least a couple others too. Im thinking each person in the set got 500 free cards ??? Never thought about that before I just reread the letter.

[paul]

Any thoughts as to whether the ones now on ebay are handcut? Some do look just a touch irregular to me, but still pretty nice if they really are handcut.