Posted By:
Rhett YeakleyBrian, I have always loved this set for the same reasons that you mentioned. Definately one of the most colorful sets out there. I also enjoy that the cards just look a little different than any other set made in the 1909-1912 PCL baseball card explosion.
Each team is represented by 12 players each, as evidenced by the checklists on the back, thus making the set complete at 72. Most cards in the set are colorized versions of the same players D310 card (usually cropped differently), with one guy being a reverse negatives (Wares). There are 12 players that have different photos in each set. In each of the two PC Biscuit sets there are 9 players that are found in only one set or the other. In the D311 set the 9 are Brown, Castleton, Schmidt, Mechoir, Meikle, Gregory, Stamfield, Pearce, and Harkness.
As to rarity of the cards I can only speak to my own experience, but there are players that I seem to have seen more than others-but it is hard to really say that that means anything without having a larger sample size. But at one time I had a dozen or so cards, and 3 of them were Oscar Vitt -he is actually one of the cooler looking cards in the set, and one of the cooler guys- but I have seen a few more of him over the last few years. Anyways, just one mans observation of the set. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to give me a call or something.
Also, check out VCBC #17 -It has a good article by Mark Macrae on the issues (D310 & D311) with photo checklists. The pictures aren't the best quality but they are good tools. Mark reported that there were a few variations in grass color on some of the cards, but don't recall the players.
Also, if you or anyone else finds an extra Roy Castleton, I would pay or trade handsomely for a copy- not due to rarity, just like the player.
-Rhett Yeakley

Edited to add a picture