T206 Blue Old Mill

[edhans]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Having seen the card in person, I would not be as quick as some who haven't seen it to classify that blue as "Polar Bear" blue. It might very well be, but it's not a slam dunk -- especially when one draws that conclusion based on a scan or photo. One of my first thoughts upon seeing the card was that the printing on the back is not "Polar Bear" blue.

+1 It didn't strike me as "Polar Bear" blue either. Count me in the camp of believers.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by edhans

+1 It didn't strike me as "Polar Bear" blue either. Count me in the camp of believers.

This Old Mill really looks blue to me. Like you, I never thought of Polar Bear backs as blue, until someone on the board said so.

I would love to get a first-hand look at this, with a loupe; however, I respect the opinion of those who have seen it, even though it makes little sense.

As far as back-collecting, given this example, I'm just glad I'm not one.

[teetwoohsix]

I agree Peter, the amount of experienced/veteran collectors who have seen this in person and said it looks legit seems to carry more weight about it's legitimacy (in my eyes at least) than the fact that it's graded- and out of the major TPG's I tend to trust SGC the most.It's hard to go against the grain when you look at the wisdom of the respected people of this hobby who have had the chance to view it in person, even with a loupe.

I, unfortunately, am skeptical in nature about most things. Sometimes I hate that about myself. I'm always trying to complete a puzzle that can't be completed

Thank goodness we are all entitled to our own opinions, and allowed to express those opinions here. I guess I'll be skeptical until another surfaces. With that being said- the T210 Old Mill set, with 640 cards(?) and 8 different series- every card having an Old Mill back- I wonder why we don't have a Blue Back showing up in that set?

Sincerely, Clayton

[steve B]

Ok, so here's a theory- Or just a crazy guess if you want to call it that.

T206s are being printed, a batch of fronts are done and backs are being printed. Polar bear on one press, Old mill on another. It gets late in the afternoon, and the guy running the Old mill press realizes he's going to run low on ink a bit before quitting time. So he asks the guy next to him who's runnning a dark blue if he'll have any extra. He will, and shortly before quitting the first guy adds that extra to his ink reservoir. Blue mixes with the black he's running, making some very dark blue backs, and transitioning to a color close to the blue but not quite, maybe just a bit darker.
The day ends, the presses are washed down removing the days ink, and the handful of sheets slips by QC if there is any because the colors are close until the last few sheets. They're cut and distributed, probably not even getting into the same carton.

-Most pressmen do their own QC in the time I was at the print shop I only did QC once. And that was on a program for an event where we had to look for perfect copies that would be presented to the dignitaries presenting papers. Try finding 50-75 flawless copies out of 5000 of anything.

Steve B

[freakhappy]

Steve,

Unless Old Mill was printed in Ohio, I don't think your theory is possible....right?

[steve B]

All the T 206s were printed in New York and shipped to the packing plants. Same for all the other ATC cards.

The packing plants only had equipment to produce and package various tobacco products.

Even today, very few companies produce the entire product including packaging. The only one I can think of was Ford and they don't do it anymore.

Steve B

[the 'stache]

Thank you as always, Chris. I'll check those links out.

[e107collector]

I heard through the grapevine, that the Blue Old Mill is coming up for auction again. (It is not my card)

I thought it would be in REA's fall auction, but it's not. I'm not sure what auction house has it.

It will be interesting to see what it sells for again.

Tony

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by e107collector

I heard through the grapevine, that the Blue Old Mill is coming up for auction again. (It is not my card)

I thought it would be in REA's fall auction, but it's not. I'm not sure what auction house has it.

It will be interesting to see what it sells for again.

Tony

It's coming up in a HA auction