Who is the Cracker Jack expert?

[obcmac]

I have a question that I'd like to send to the cracker jack expert...except I don't know who that would be. Where should I direct the question?

[Bicem]

Just post it, others may have the same question.

[fkw]

Lots of E145 experts here...

[FrankWakefield]

I agree... if you post your question you'll get opinions from several folks who know a bit about the two series of Cracker Jack cards; and you'll probably be asking about something that's puzzled a few others. Several of the guys here know a right smart about 'em.

[obcmac]

Basically I've seen a number of cards that look like these in slabs...I saw a Wagner at the national...and the Johnson on the BST looks very similar. Am I crazy to think they're all fakes? Always rounded or worn corners, always dirty, never caramel stains, never 1914, never any foxing. I have about 75 other CJ's many in the lowest of low grades, and none have the dirt, few have rounded corners (folds and tears yes), most have caramel staining etc...

Mac

[FrankWakefield]

From looking at the images I think the cards are authentic. A black light REALLY does help resolve any doubts you might have. And holding the cards help. 1914 cards are virtually paper. 1915 cards are thin cardstock.

CJs that got flour-pasted into scrapbooks survived well. They can be found today, fairly clean, with decent corners. Cards that were carried in grimy hands, pants pockets, and the like are sometimes in the condition of those you posted. Some 'clean' cards have been bleached a bit. I'd think if those cards were merely soaked, a bit of the dirt would loosen without any color loss. They'd look less worse, but not really very good.

I think those are real. If you only look at CJs in slabs you're less likely to see cards in the condition of those you've posted. If you look at all CJs, or just raw CJs, you're more likely to see them.