W517 colors

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Posted By: Brian

To start off I will respond to identify's question. I almost agree totally to what your theory is on the card colors. Remember these cards were printed during the depression so it is more likely that they could have just poured colors of ink in when one ran out. Why would you really care about your manufacturing process during that horrible time of the U.S.? Do you have scans of those two cards you are talking about? Are they photo size? I remember back in 1999 I think when Halper collection was sold there was an orginal picture(black and white) from which the ruth portait was made that sold with the ruth card for around $4,000. If this is the same card kinda card you are talking about. I havent seen many original photos, but could this be what you have?

And second, Adam you have some very information and the guy you are telling about was on the right track! I have done 10 years of reserach on this set and after 10 years here is what I have.

1. This set was manufactored in Philadelphia, Pa.(Many convos with workers and citizens from that era saying they remember the cards)

2. If these cards were printed in end of 1930 and or 1931, the Philadelphia A's won the World Series in 1930 against the Reds: That would explain why there is 12 Philadelphia Athletics in this set, by far the most of any team! That would make sense to why a Philadelphia company would produce cards.

3. These cards indeed came out of a box that was labled, Champion Draw.

4. The W designation is for strip cards, but this set was both because you had candy cards coming in strips of three. This is 100% fact because on the champion draw box explains what the stripes on the back of some cards meant to the purchaser. The stripe meant you get a free piece of candy! And most of the purchasers turned their cards in so that they could be redeemed at the store for more candy.

5. So hopefully by next year the American card catalog can have these titled "Champion Draw" (Strip Cards)

Thats what I know. Some is 100% and other info is about 90%, But depending on the college you went to, most of the time 95% was an A.

Brian