1914 E145-1 Cracker Jack back variations question

[fkw]

A collector (Ron) posted over on FCB an interesting question...

He asked if the 1914 Cracker Jack cards came with both the "10,000,000" and "15,000,000" numbers on back?
.... His 1914 Doyle #4 shows the 10Mil, my only 1914 card a Bodie #79 shows the 15Mil, but Lipsets Encyclopedia says the 10Mil shows on the first 87 cards, and the succeeding numbers show 15Mil. But with our 2 examples that isnt true.

Whats the real story behind this back variation, does anyone know the breakdown and if any players can be found with both variations?

my only 1914

[btkpath]

Hi Frank,

In looking at my 90 1914 Cracker Jacks, all that have numbers of 72 or less have the 10,000,000 designation, and all that are 74 or greater have the 15,000,000 designation. I don't have card number 73, so I cannot comment.

Given the fact that there are 144 cards in the set, it would seem like the first half has the 10 million designation and the second half, the 15 million designation.

Is anybody's experience different?

I cannot comment on the 1915 set.

Thanks,

Barry

[ephus]

Here is the back of my 1914 Cracker Jack #88. It shows the 15,000,000 number. What Barry says is right, I have never seen a1914 card show otherwise.

[fkw]

Thanks

That makes sense, First 1/2 of set with "10,000,000" and the second 1/2 with "15,000,000".
Almost like it was 2 series, wonder if they were issued at same time? I would think not.... ??
Anyone have any info if the first 1/2 was issued earlier than the second 1/2 of the set?

[tiger8mush]

The strange thing is, the 2nd half of the set seems harder to come by in general. Yet according to the back of the cards, 50% more copies were issued for the 2nd set? Interesting.

[btkpath]

Great observation Rob.....That has been my experience as well!

Barry