Mayo Card Reprints?

[aelefson]

Hi-

I purchased a group of Mayo football cards at an antique shop over the winter. When I first saw them in the shop, none of the backs were visible but the fronts looked like they were most likely real. They were cheap enough (around 20.00 for all) so I didn't bother to look at the backs until I got home. When I did I saw the white backs (see scans). If they are real, they are definitely skinned and rebacked.

I am usually pretty good at determining when something is a reproduction but these cards are bothering me. I have owned various Mayos over the years and these cards just feel off, but they look right (on the front). One is even slightly miscut (I actually think that points to being a reproduction). What does everyone else think?

Alan

[jefferyepayne]

Very difficult to tell from looking at scans. At a glance the fronts look pretty legit but the only way to know for sure is to buy a hand held microscope and look at the printing technique used on them. There's lots of resources on the internet on what various printing techniques look like when magnified. Check out www.cycleback.com

There was a reprint set produced of these cards three decades ago. Here is a listing for them on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254370421203 for comparison.

jeff

[aelefson]

Thank you Jeff! I keep going back and forth over whether these are real (albeit rebacked). I will look into the microscope idea. I also appreciate the link to the reprint set.

Alan

[swarmee]

Is there a known cardboard poster for this set like there were for others during this timeframe? They could be cut down from the poster.

[jefferyepayne]

I've never seen one, personally.

jeff