Lections on eBay - Chance Not Only Known Example

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Posted By: Eric

Hello "canjond" and others,

I've collected Lections for several years, and always been attracted to this issues obscurity and unknown background. A few years ago I created a post on this board asking others for their insight on the issue. I've also picked the brains of several highly knowledgeable collectors, for their thoughts. Between the posts and personal conversations, this is what I've gathered:

~There are roughly 75-125* examples currently known. This number is tough to determine, but based on the two initial finds, and other suggested finds, this number should be fairly accurate in terms of publicly announced finds and discolures.
~The two reported "finds" were discovered in the late nineties, both by the same family that resides in upstate New York (Albany, possible Schenectady).
~Two color schemes have been seen: green and orange.
~Although I've never gotten a "this came straight from the horses mouth", I've heard from several sources that the cards were produced and given away at a fair or carnival on a one time basis**.
~The theory of them being a punch card has been suggested, but I've only seen one card with "redemption-like" holes in it, so I find it highly unlikely.

The newly suggested information that canjond raises is really interesting. I've never heard of "Elections" cards, but the reasoning sounds very feasible. I've also never heard about the kids game story before, which again, could very well be true. Looking at the backside of the two Lections I own, there are no pencil markings (or erase marks). If anyone has more information on the "Elections" cards, including scans..I'd be very interested in hearing from you. I've always held hope that more than 10 player cards were made, and have long sought the real story behind their orignals. Personally, I think more of these will be found somewhere down the road. Thanks,

Eric



*125 is thought to be on the high side, around 100 is probably more accurate. The problem with establishing the number of known copies is due to some stories of people making other finds of Lections cards, outside of the original two that were reported in the late 90's, by one family in New York.

**This statement would seem to coincide with the Elections story, as a convention or polical fair might have been the forum.