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

[SetBuilder]

While we're on the subject of OJ's (sorry if I'm hijacking your thread)...

Old Judge cards aren't albumen prints either.

They're much more primitive salt prints.

The price of eggs in 1887 was something like 20 or 30 cents per dozen, while the price of salt had fallen precipitously by 1887-88 to less than $1.00 a barrel.

It would've made no sense from an economic perspective to print cheapo giveaway cards using expensive albumen, which was used by high end photographers to make glossy high-resolution CDVs (think Matthew Brady...) instead of the much cheaper mixture of salt and water. Separating the egg whites from the yolk would have also added an extra step in the manufacturing process (unnecessary labor costs).

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

While we're on the subject of OJ's (sorry if I'm hijacking your thread)...

Old Judge cards aren't albumen prints either.

They're much more primitive salt prints.

The price of eggs in 1887 was something like 20 or 30 cents per dozen, while the price of salt had fallen precipitously by 1887-88 to less than $1.00 a barrel.

It would've made no sense from an economic perspective to print cheapo giveaway cards using expensive albumen, which was used by high end photographers to make glossy high-resolution CDVs (think Matthew Brady...) instead of the much cheaper mixture of salt and water. Separating the egg whites from the yolk would have also added an extra step in the manufacturing process (unnecessary labor costs).

Not sure where you are getting your information, but Old Judges are albumen prints.

[SetBuilder]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Not sure where you are getting your information, but Old Judges are albumen prints.

How do you know?

[oldjudge]

Well I’ve handled a few albumen photographs over the years.

[SetBuilder]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Well I’ve handled a few albumen photographs over the years.

No way they used eggs.

Sorry, but they're not albumen.

[oaks1912]

Ted and Joe, I think that you're both right...Hear me out... The previous year (1887), Gypsy Queen cigarettes were introduced to the San Francisco / Northern California market. I' have an advertisement from the September 24, 1887 CITY ARGUS (San Francisco). This FRONT PAGE ad promotes Gypsy Queen Cigarettes being "The Latest and Best" and that they contain photographs of all the leading pugilists, baseball players and actresses. While issued as one series, modern collectors break it down into three series.... N-171 Actresses, N-174 Boxing, and N-175 Baseball.


Taking it a step further, most baseball ONLY sets (T-206, 1933 Goudey, etc ) were primarily distributed during baseball season (Early April to late September) . However this series, much like the N-162 Champions set issued a year later, contained subjects from multiple sports / activities. It wouldn't necessarily have to be issued exclusively during baseball season

Would it make sense that a multi-sport / subject set could run from September to perhaps April or May of the following year. This would address the issue of coupons have two different years on them, and the handwritten date written on Ted's example (Which obviously was not done at the factory) when a gift was presented to a family member or friend.

[tedzan]

Double post.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

No way they used eggs.

Sorry, but they're not albumen.

BTW, what is your photographic background? Are your conclusions based on your examination of Old Judge cards or is yours solely an economic analysis?

[oldjudge]

BTW, if, based on your extensive experience, you don't believe me, here is the description from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Burdick Collection for one of the cards. I don't know for certain, but my guess is that they also know more about the topic than you.

From the series Old Judge Cigarettes

Publisher:Issued by Goodwin & Company
Date:1888
Medium:Albumen print photograph, cabinet card
Dimensions:sheet: 6 1/2 x 4 3/8 in. (16.5 x 11.1 cm)
Classifications:Photographs, Ephemera
Credit Line:The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number:63.350.214.173.152