Color Fro joys, seller needs proof of reprints!

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Posted By: Hankron

Okay, here's the deal on judging the authenticity of the Fro Joy Sheets. First, while the cards can be found with some regularity, the original sheets are very rare. So, when in doubt, odds say you probably have a reprint. The sheets were distributed with a photo of Babe Ruth and, I assume, a large mailing envelope. Not only would the combination help prove authenticity of the sheet, but you have a collection worth a lot of money. I would think in higher condition, the combo would be worth minimally $10,000.

The original Fro Joy sheets and single cards were made with a type of printing called photoengraving (a type of 'relief' printing). This now obsolete type of printing is identified with a microscope (such as the just described 75x power microscope). A wide variety of early baseball cards use this type of printing, and the hobbyist can practice looking at any of these items. This include the Sporting News and Sporting Life cards, Exhibit cards, and (if printed on glossy or super smooth paper)pictures in old magazines, Reach guides and such .... An in depth and highly illustrated discussion of what this type of 'relief' printing, and what early lithography looks has already been covered at http://www.cycleback.com/baseballcards/7.html

It has always been and always will be my strongest opinion that, if authentication is a serious concern, collectors and dealers should buy a good microscope and learn how to make good judgements on printing.