W516 copyright observation

[brianp-beme]

...And it appears that three of the Becker Prize cards that Andy showed would be considered W516-1-3, according to Greg's information he shared.

Brian

[Clutch-Hitter]

I probably don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s not an official designation but to me they’re different from the ones with no lettering. I’ll put up some scans tonight. Got some Beckers too.

Also, the grading companies rarely label these correctly so the pop reports are not a measure of scarcity. And if you think you have a player run, check them again if you relied on a company’s holder. They’ll put -1-2 on anything (all I’ve seen have white paper).

[glchen]

Here's my contribution with some trademark symbol at the top right. Not exactly sure what's written in the globe, but looks like Imperial?

[Clutch-Hitter]

Originally Posted by glchen

Here's my contribution with some trademark symbol at the top right. Not exactly sure what's written in the globe, but looks like Imperial?

Love that, Gary! Amazing Ruth collection

[Clutch-Hitter]

2 W516-1-1 Speakers. Need a 2-1 and 1-2 (never seen a 1-2)

1920-21 W516 Speaker by Greg Martin, on Flickr

W516-1-1-05 (Speaker) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

W516-1-05 (Speaker) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

Doyles

W516-1-1-13 (Doyle) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

W516-1-1-13 (Paper Var) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

W516-1-25 (Milan) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

W516-1-27 by Greg Martin, on Flickr

[Clutch-Hitter]

How are these always in such amazing condition? The tint and depth of the image compared to the -1-1


1920 Becker Tablets 14 (W516) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

1920 Becker Tablets 15 (W516) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

1920 Becker Tablets 17 (W516) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

1920 Becker Tablets 19 (W516) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

[Clutch-Hitter]

Some white versions from the first 10 (maybe some of the higher numbers are white and not brownish?)

W516-1-1-02 (Groh) by Greg Martin, on Flickr
W516-1-1-04 (Schalk) by Greg Martin, on Flickr
W516-1-1-05 (Speaker) by Greg Martin, on Flickr
W516-1-1-10 (Burns) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by glchen

Here's my contribution with some trademark symbol at the top right. Not exactly sure what's written in the globe, but looks like Imperial?

Really interesting thread on these, but I have questions: is this the front of one of the tablets you were supposed to save, the cards being on the front? If not, do we know which tablets they're referencing, and how the cards were distributed otherwise? Do we know what the prizes were, how many tablets you had to save for a prize, and how the prize would be claimed--presumably you'd have to send in your tablet fronts somewhere? Anybody ever seen the rules to this contest? Since a "Ms. Becker" has been mentioned here several times, I guess she is the signatory "L.A. Becker," and I'd like to have the skinny on her and her contest.

[edhans]

I don't think anyone knows the answers to your questions, Hank. My statements here are pure speculation. It's highly unlikely that the "tablet fronts" were the actual cards. I think Ms. Becker simply bought the strips from a local merchant and handed them our to her students. Again, pure speculation. I doubt we'll ever learn the truth.

[Clutch-Hitter]

Hey Ed,

I have 3 W516 (W529) boxers that I believe were at one time uncut. “Universal Fighters Matching Cards Series 1” stretches across the top. Also above 2 of the 3 is evidence of cards existing above them on a sheet. Will have to post them on here tonight.

W515: the -2’s are larger but also more colorful. -1’s are relatively dull, plain

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by edhans

I don't think anyone knows the answers to your questions, Hank. My statements here are pure speculation. It's highly unlikely that the "tablet fronts" were the actual cards. I think Ms. Becker simply bought the strips from a local merchant and handed them our to her students. Again, pure speculation. I doubt we'll ever learn the truth.

Thanks, Ed, that makes sense. The cards are probably unrelated to her contest, she just thought they might pay more attention if she promoted it on the back of the cards rather than some other way, like plain paper or a blackboard.

[Clutch-Hitter]

1920 Universal Matching Cards (W516-1) by Greg Martin, on Flickr
W516-1-1-08 (Britton) by Greg Martin, on Flickr

[edhans]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

...And it appears that three of the Becker Prize cards that Andy showed would be considered W516-1-3, according to Greg's information he shared.

Brian

I'm highly dubious about the "-3" designation. The Beckers alone are strong evidence against it. Are we to postulate that Ms. Becker obtained cards from separate issues; and that they all happened to come from the middle series? Far more likely, in my view, is that Ms. Becker acquired a batch of cards from one or two sheets of the same series and that the captioned cards were simply those at the top of the sheet. Going by memory here, but I seem to recall the captions were present on other W516 series.

Greg, would love to see pictures of your examples. Thanks.

[Clutch-Hitter]

Originally Posted by edhans

I'm highly dubious about the "-3" designation. The Beckers alone are strong evidence against it. Are we to postulate that Ms. Becker obtained cards from separate issues; and that they all happened to come from the middle series? Far more likely, in my view, is that Ms. Becker acquired a batch of cards from one or two sheets of the same series and that the captioned cards were simply those at the top of the sheet. Going by memory here, but I seem to recall the captions were present on other W516 series.

Greg, would love to see pictures of your examples. Thanks.

Hello,

The Beckers are strange to all; the tint is. Yeah, because of the tint, I believe they should be differentiated. The cards with lettering (that I own) are slightly thicker therefore a thicker (deeper?) image. I’m not 100% firm and have never seen an uncut sheet with rows and columns. You have? Haven’t handled them in a while, just participating. I did have a great deal of a master set at one time. You may be right though. What are your thought on W515, just one big set?

[Clutch-Hitter]

Originally Posted by edhans

I'm highly dubious about the "-3" designation. The Beckers alone are strong evidence against it. Are we to postulate that Ms. Becker obtained cards from separate issues; and that they all happened to come from the middle series? Far more likely, in my view, is that Ms. Becker acquired a batch of cards from one or two sheets of the same series and that the captioned cards were simply those at the top of the sheet. Going by memory here, but I seem to recall the captions were present on other W516 series.

Greg, would love to see pictures of your examples. Thanks.

And when we say top row, are we saying only the first several cards would have lettering? The higher number cards would not because further down the sheet?

[edhans]

Originally Posted by Clutch-Hitter

And when we say top row, are we saying only the first several cards would have lettering? The higher number cards would not because further down the sheet?

No. The cards were printed in horizontal strips of ten consecutive numbers with the same subjects repeated vertically. Thus most, if not all, cards on the top row only, would have portions of the caption. Those in the bottom rows would not. It is a curious anomaly that the vast majority of the Becker cards are in remarkably nice condition. I'm guessing that Ms. Becker was more careful with her cutting than a kid would have been and never handed them out. That may also account for the absence of Ring and Kauf and the plethora of Barnes, Adams and Cooper. Perhaps Ring and Kauf were the first subjects to be distributed while the latter three were never given out. I never noticed a different thickness in the card stock. The perceived image quality may be attributable to the Beckers being printed early in the run. I have not seen an uncut sheet, my theories are only that-theories. Due the the size difference, W515 must be considered as two distinct issues. Thanks for posting your cards.