When a proof is a proof

[Clutch-Hitter]

???



Cards with the “+” symbol

1. Sisler - Rice
2. Baker -
3. Bancroft
4. Schalk
5. Judge
6. Burns
7. Milan
8. Schang
9. Bodie

Card Without the “+” Symbol:

1. Cadore
2. Hornsby
3. Rice
4. Mays
5. Konetchy
6. Groh
7. Bagby
8. Johnson
9. Cobb
10. Ruth
11. Doyle

[Bridwell]

Getting back to Leon's original question...

To me, a proof is a pre-production printing that the printer uses as a test. The printer is checking the lining up of the plates and colors. Proofs would never have been intended for distribution to the public. They would be shown to the designer for one last look, prior to production.

Miscut cards, missing colors or bad registration errors are usually not proofs. Anybody else have thoughts to help define?

[Bridwell]

In the famous T206 Wagner proof strip, Bowerman looks more like a waiter than a baseball player. Somebody may have looked at that design in 1909 and said "add something to his uniform so people can tell he's a baseball player!"

Thus the final version of the card has the collar colored in, and the B on the jersey. Just one reason why proofs are needed.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Clutch-Hitter

???

My guess on these Big Heads is that the cross hairs were for alignment purposes. They don't have the characteristics I think of that are a true proof, imo. I am lacking Cobby and Ruth to complete that Big Head set (one of very few "sets" I have collected) and have seen some cross hairs on a fair number of the cards...including some of these....

[Clutch-Hitter]

Very nice FKW!
_____________________

That makes sense Leon. It crossed my mind when I thought back to Matt's theory on the Big Head set last year, specifically how it appeared to be tied to the W516 sets somehow, reversed images and all. If this was correct, it would pre-date the W516 set as we thought, maybe a template.

Have the cross-hairs been found on any other strip card issue, or any issue for that matter? And, are the cross-hairs usually found on proofs?

Not my cards:

[E93]

Leon,
Just a friendly reminder to give me a call when you get tired of that ugly Matty proof.
JimB

[E93]

Though this one is not mine, I thought I would throw up the scan for further discussion on unissued T206s. To my knowledge this is the only one other than the Southern League Eight that was not issued.
JimB