E222 Back Variations

[Abravefan11]

I have posted this information online before, but I'm hoping reviving it here may add some new confirmations to the information I've been able to gather so far.

One of the more intriguing aspects of this scarce issue is the number of back variations considering the sets small size and limited production. The set was printed by Fulton Press which consisted of two brothers running a small print job shop out of their family home. Unlike large printing firms of the day that produced thousands of cards for issues like T206, the E222’s were produced in small batches and for a presumed short period of time.

One of the challenges in understanding the different back variations has been acquiring enough scan examples of each subject to understand the patterns. To date I have partial or full information on over forty unique cards from auction listings, posted scans and generous private collectors that have shared their information with me. The following is what I’ve been able to determine about the backs at this point.

1) There are six A.W.H. back variations and one A.W.A. for a total of seven different backs.

2) Each of the six A.W.H. backs was printed in red, blue or black.

3) All A.W.H. backs have a confirmed example with each of the three colors with the exception of back #3 black.

4) All three A.W.A. examples known at this time have blue backs.

5) Each back variation was printed with a pair of front images with the exception of back #5 which was printed using two pairs.

The following is based on 40 unique cards on my confirmed list and could change with newly discovered examples.

Back #1 - Lipe and Sieber are found with this back.


Back #2 - Guiheen and Hooker are found with this back.


Back #3 - Revelle and Shaughnessy are found with this back.


Back #4 - Smith and Titman are found with this back.


Back #5 - Two sets of pairs are found with this back. The first is McCauley and Ryan the only two subjects who have also been found with A.W.A. The second pair is Hooker and Shaughnessy.


Back #6 - Ison and Otey are found with this back.


Back #7 - McCauley and Ryan are found with this back.


Here is a breakdown of the 40 subjects on my confirmed list and the back variation and color for each.


I'd love to hear from anyone that has anything else to add, has a question or comment and again thank you to all those that have already helped a great deal by sharing their information with me.

[Leon]

I just want to say, thanks, and great post Tim. I wish I had something to add but have not been fortunate to find much on this series. Your research on it is greatly appreciated. I do like the cards....though I think they suffer from being so scarce. The Shag is a cool card (of course it's the same front as 206, but a great card nonetheless). best regards

[Jaybird]

Great research, Tim. Thanks for shedding some light on a lesser known issue.

[caramelcard]

Interesting info Tim.

It's difficult to study sets that are this small, especially when it's so hard to locate even one card from the set.

Anything is possible, but with the pairs maybe you've discovered how they were given away or inserted into the packaging (two with the same back). With such a small set and small number of cards surviving, maybe given away over the course of one baseball season.

Just ramblings...

[ScottFandango]

That's why I come to this board!

This is a hot bed for 100 year old discoveries!!

Love it!

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by caramelcard

Anything is possible, but with the pairs maybe you've discovered how they were given away or inserted into the packaging (two with the same back). With such a small set and small number of cards surviving, maybe given away over the course of one baseball season.

Robert - Like you said anything is possible. We can make a pretty educated guess as to when the cards were created given they only copied 8 of the Virginia State League T206 images. These were the 8 that were printed with Hindu backs. Had they created the set just a little later using Old Mill or Piedmont cards, they would have had all 12 Virginia State League T206 images to copy.

Your theory of two cards being inserted into each package is very plausible. They were copying T206 images and if they were also mimicking their packaging the Hindu's had two cards inserted into each pack.

Thanks for your comments.

[caramelcard]

Tim.

They were mimicking T206 alright.

This is the only caramel set that uses the T206 back format with the box around the inner advertising and ornate corner designs.

Rob

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by caramelcard

This is the only caramel set that uses the T206 back format with the box around the inner advertising and ornate corner designs.

Robert - Here's a comparison image that shows exactly what you're talking about. Along with the frame and corner design you described, you'll also see they used the words "Base Ball Series" and they used the "Fulton Press, Richmond, Va." like the factory designation on the T206 backs.

[Leon]

So since it's apropos, and I am not sure others will show theirs, here are a few of them. One of the things about collecting the really scarce stuff is that sometimes (most times) more come to the hobby, and double or more, the known population. Until Dan'o showed the 2 AWA's, from an established hobbyist, the only one known was this one. "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" Sometimes it can help legitimatize a card though, which is a good thing.