not Fred Dunlap at Heritage

[benjulmag]

The determination that the Athletic cabinets are trimmed is not contingent on locating comparison cabinets issued the same year by the same studio. It is also not dependent on observing skewed borders and unusually sharp corners. And it is also not contingent on the cabinets varying in size from each other. Rather all one needs to observe is a variance from cabinet to cabinet in the distance of the studio logo on the verso from a particular border (left, right, top or bottom). If that exists, as it does in this instance, then for all practical purposes the mounts are trimmed. Why? Each studio had its own standard mount, whether CdV or cabinet, with a uniformity in the distance of the print from a particular border. An analogy in today's world would be a person's business card. Yes, in the 19th century the cutting techniques were not as precise as they are today. So conceivably there can be subtle differences in how well-centered the logos might be. But if there are noticeable differences in the centering of the logos, as is the case with these cabinets, at minimum that raises the most serious questions whether the mounts were trimmed, mandating disclosure.