N173 & Goodwin Album Certificate Discussion – A New Variation?

[Joe_G.]

Certificate Variation Identified (4 Different), see Post #1 for Details
5th New Certificate Found - "World's Champions" & "Floral", see Post #7 for Details
6th New Certificate Found - "Floral Album", see Post #10 & #14 for Details
7th New Certificate Found - West Coast Agents "Mau, Sadler & Co.", see Post #16 for Details
New Early Insert Found - "Trademark Important to Smokers", see Post #19 & #22 for Details
9th & 10th - New Variations (10 coupons & counting), see Post #23 for Details

Relaxing for the evening. Trying to erase a disappointing Tiger's game from memory and figured I'd post something that might interest a few people.

I recently realized a variation within the 1889 N173 certificates that was new to me. The Old Judge book displays two different certificates but a third variant, perhaps many more, exist. I believe each of the three certificates have sufficient information to assign the likely order in which they were issued. We do know that these certificates date to 1889 based on the dates found on the certificate as well as the 20 certificate requirement.

One year earlier, 1888, the requirement for obtaining a cabinet required more cigarettes to be consumed. The metamorphic trade cards found at point of sale detailed requirements which began at 35 but quickly dropped to 25 empty box covers not containing slips or the slips themselves. The 1888 cabinet checklists likewise mention the 25 slip requirement. I personally have not seen one of these 1888 “slips”. I find it curious that Goodwin refers to a “slip” requirement in 1888 and a “certificate” requirement in 1889. Does anyone have a slip or certificate to share from 1888?

Back to 1889, I believe the three certificates I’ve posted can be placed in proper chronological order based on the dates provided for the BASE BALL ALBUM release. The earliest certificate, which has “May 1889” on the N173 redemption side, states the BASE BALL ALBUM will be released July 1st. The BASE BALL ALBUM features “colored likenesses of last year’s Champions, the New York Giants.” This album, designated A35 in the hobby, is perhaps the most sought after baseball album ever produced with beautiful player lithographs found on the round pages.

The second and third certificate variations are very similar, differing only on the Album redemption side of the certificate. One version provides dates for the yet to be released albums including a revised release date for the BASE BALL ALBUM, now July 15th. It also lists an Aug. 15th, 1889 availability date for the Sports and Games Album. The third certificate variation is minus all the dates suggesting it may have been issued after the albums were made available (post Aug. 15th).

I’ve also attached a scan of yet another certificate which Goodwin refers to as a “ticket” that I believe also dates to 1889, but curiously only promotes the BASE BALL ALBUM. There are likely many more versions than I have posted here.

One thing is clear, Goodwin kept changing the name of what we commonly refer to as a “coupon” today. In 1888 Goodwin refers to a “slip” and then a “certificate” and “ticket” in 1889. The only name Goodwin apparently didn’t use was “coupon”.

Please post your Goodwin issued certificate(s) if you have one/some, regardless of which variation. Maybe we can get an idea of relative scarcity.