"1888" GOODWIN CHAMPIONS (N162) cards are actually an 1889 set

[Joe_G.]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Scott

Yes, Harry Beecher played Football for Yale from 1884 - 1887. And, he graduated from Yale University in 1888. Which most likely means he did not play in 1888.

But then, there are some sports figures featured in the N162 set whose careers ended before 1887. Therefore, featuring Beecher in an 1889 issue is not unusual.

Hello Ted,

Nearly everyone is consenting that N162 cards could have been distributed into 1889 (myself, Henry, Mark, etc.). It doesn't appear anyone is debating this point. The point of contention is that you indicate N162s are to be considered an 1889 set, i.e. production began in 1889 whereas the rest of us believe, and in some cases have provided evidence, that the set began in 1888. The four 1888 redemption coupons that mention availability of the album is pretty concrete in my mind to dating the card's initial release to 1888 (cards precede the album). Personally, I'm 99.9% certain the cards were first offered in 1888 and about 50/50 on whether the cards extended into 1889. On the album side, 99.9% sure it was offered in both 1888 and 1889.