Colgans E254 - 208 in series

[rhettyeakley]

Leon, let us know what the seller says, but the tin that one comes w/ basically only eliminates 1909 as a date--as I think it has the 1910 copyright around the rim on the lid.

Most of the known player selection doesn't really help us w/ dating. However, one of the players I have seen w/ this back is the Harry Hooper w/ Boston Nat'l (error card). I speculate that this was the first version of Hooper made as it was in error and they corrected him to Boston A.L.--this is also supported by the fact that I have an E270 Tin Top of Hooper w/ the exact same image & font as the (imo) later Boston A.L. version. It wouldn't make sense to me that they would do the AL version then switch to the NL only to go back to the AL--so it is likely how I laid it out in terms of a time line. Also, it is interesting that I own a Red Nelson (Toledo) w/ this back as he never actually played for that team--if he was signed by them at some point and that can be discovered it will likely be the best possible chance (as of now) to "date" when the 208's were made.

It is more likely that the "208" back was only produced as a small print run, otherwise there would be more of them. The fact that Hooper NL is found that way we essentially know it wasn't the last print run as they later made the AL version--and the AL version is significantly easier to find as well so there was a fair amount produced after the change. If I had to venture a guess based on all that I have seen I would say the 208's were produced at ~the mid-point of the E254 distribution (likely in 1910). I reserve the right to proven totally wrong at some later date!

Hooper Boston NL


Hooper Boston AL (E254)


Hooper Boston AL (E270)

[Myachelydra]

Agreed on the dating Rhett...I have always felt that these were from mid to late run (circa 1910-11). The Clarke (Pittsburgh) version that you have also points towards a later distribution date for the "208's" as Pittsburgh changed its name officially from Pittsburg (minus the "h") to Pittsburgh in 1911. Why Clarke's "Pittsburgh" was the only Pirate changed is another question.

Unfortunately I was the "ball-dropper" that Rhett mentioned on the Reulbach. A very busy week and a failure to adjust my snipe ='s no 208 for me.

[autograf]

I sold a group of 254 Colgans 3-4 years ago to a board member that contained a single example of the '208' back. It was Cy Seymour/Baltimore for anyone checklisting. I bought it off ebay 8-10 years ago for $100ish if I remember correctly. I know Mark Macrae has a number of these and may be able to shed more light on the discussion or add to the list of known players with '208' back.

[brianp-beme]

For decades the late Larry Fritsch advertised to purchase Colgans for his personal collection, and I even remember reading an article written by him about the set. If his Colgan collection is still intact, I imagine it might also offer up a decent amount of the 208 series back variations.

Brian

[rhettyeakley]

Tom, your Seymour (Baltimore) does help to shed a little light on the time period. Seymour began 1910 w/ the NY Giants and played 15 games at the end of 1910 for Batimore and then played the entire 1911 season for Baltimore. Thus the time period for these 208's has to be either late 1910 season or 1911 (probably early 1911 if that is the case). Seymour Baltimore is also a fairly tough card in the set for those keeping score at home.
-Rhett