Helmar Boston Garter Cobb and others...

[barrysloate]

I pretty much agree with Peter's assessment. Although I voted don't like, they really are kind of nice looking. But I don't like the manufactured scarcity angle. If you want to reprint something have a print run of 500 or so and sell them for say $19.95 each. That's the whole point of a reprint- to make what might otherwise be a very expensive piece affordable to anyone who wants one. To make a reprint and have it as scarce as some of the originals it copies seems kind of phony to me. But I have no problem with the artwork, there is a definite skill level there.

Edited to add they are technically not a reprint of any known card, but one of a familiar design.

[sirraffles]

I think that some people "get it" and others don't. Rather than rehash aspects covered in old threads, I'll leave it at that. Thank you, everyone, for weighing in. Every opinion has been valuable! Charles

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I pretty much agree with Peter's assessment. Although I voted don't like, they really are kind of nice looking. But I don't like the manufactured scarcity angle. If you want to reprint something have a print run of 500 or so and sell them for say $19.95 each. That's the whole point of a reprint- to make what might otherwise be a very expensive piece affordable to anyone who wants one. To make a reprint and have it as scarce as some of the originals it copies seems kind of phony to me. But I have no problem with the artwork, there is a definite skill level there.

Edited to add they are technically not a reprint of any known card, but one of a familiar design.

Barry I agree that they are nice looking and of high quality, but to me that's beside the point. Perhaps modern-produced might be a better term than reprint, but either way they are not of the period and therefore, in my opinion, no better than a reprint and in a way even more gimmicky. Pseudo-vintage, one might call it. Just my opinion and not looking to convince anyone. As Hal Lewis used to say, buy what you like, but this thread invited opinions.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Barry I agree that they are nice looking and of high quality, but to me that's beside the point. Perhaps modern-produced might be a better term than reprint, but either way they are not of the period and therefore, in my opinion, no better than a reprint and in a way even more gimmicky. Pseudo-vintage, one might call it. Just my opinion and not looking to convince anyone. As Hal Lewis used to say, buy what you like, but this thread invited opinions.

+1

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Edited to add they are technically not a reprint of any known card, but one of a familiar design.

Not true Barry. The '33 Lajoie is a reprint. I'm guessing there are others, but I don't really follow the Helmars that closely.

[sirraffles]

No, that Lajoie is not a reprint. It is from a painting that we did where the customer specifically asked for a painting of that card. Looks pretty good, eh?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by sirraffles

No, that Lajoie is not a reprint. It is from a painting that we did where the customer specifically asked for a painting of that card. Looks pretty good, eh?

Yes, almost exactly like the card. Not comparing it closely to an authentic one, it certainly fooled me.

I'm surprised how many others also have sleep issues

[barrysloate]

The 1933G Lajoie was available to anyone who mailed in requesting one. The only reason it is so scarce is that only a limited number of people cared enough to ask. If more collectors wanted them, they would have made enough to satisfy the demand.

In the case of these Helmar cards, if only four or so of each is made, there are nowhere enough to fill the demand. Thus an artifical scarcity has been created. There's a distinction.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

The 1933G Lajoie was available to anyone who mailed in requesting one. The only reason it is so scarce is that only a limited number of people cared enough to ask. If more collectors wanted them, they would have made enough to satisfy the demand.

In the case of these Helmar cards, if only four or so of each is made, there are nowhere enough to fill the demand. Thus an artifical scarcity has been created. There's a distinction.

Barry, I wasn't referring to scarcity - I was referring to the actual Helmar copy of the '33 Lajoie, which we've been told is made from a painting of a real card (which is also basically a 'painting', but of a photo).

[barrysloate]

Oh, the Helmar one. Sorry about that.