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

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

If these cards were popular, as they almost surely were, wouldn't it be logical that they would be distributed into a second year? Why give up a good thing. They may have printed more than they could have given out in 1888, so why not keep them coming?

Originally Posted by 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.

Hello Barry and Mark

Both of you make some really great points here in your posts. Thanks to both of you for chiming in.

Most sportscards issues enjoy a one (or less) year run. But, I can personally account for one issue that spanned two years.

The very first color sportscards I collected as a kid were the 1948 LEAF Boxing issue, started in 1948. This set of cards were so popular, that LEAF had a 2nd major press run in 1949.
Distribution of these LEAF cards was throughout the country well into the Summer of 1949.






TED Z

T206 Reference
.