Mantle Question

[Zach Wheat]

I am certainly not an expert but I thought your backs look fine. The front of the card looks a little washed out, but maybe that is due to the scanner. The reprints I have in my possession all had dark gray backs. In addition, the front did not look as clear when compared side-by-side with an original.

The backs of yours look too off-white to be reprints. That is just my guess without comparing it side-by-side with an original. Buy one lot of them (make sure to get back scans to eliminate the obvious gray reprints) and then compare the cards with yours. It should be pretty obvious when you have some originals to compare it too.

Zach Wheat

[fkw]

The card in the top of this post is a modern reprint, The easiest way to tell in less than a second is the top of Mantles hat is missing. (Also the "Printed in USA" is missing from bottom). The whole image was cropped when they designed these reprints.
The back card stock color is another way to tell but not necessary with this reprint.

[mintacular]

Right on, those corners are way to sharp for an authentic exhibit...

[xdrx]

Originally Posted by fkw

The card in the top of this post is a modern reprint, The easiest way to tell in less than a second is the top of Mantles hat is missing. (Also the "Printed in USA" is missing from bottom). The whole image was cropped when they designed these reprints.
The back card stock color is another way to tell but not necessary with this reprint.

Thanks Frank. You just saved me some unnecessary grading fees! After you point it out it is so obvious when looking at the variety of these same cards on eBay with the hat not cropped.

Looks like my Mays is a knock off as well, which makes sense since I bought them at the same time from the same dealer sometime in the early 80s. Same deal; top of bat should not be cropped, and no Printed in USA at bottom.

Oh well, just glad I didn't sell them to someone as originals.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by fkw

The card in the top of this post is a modern reprint, The easiest way to tell in less than a second is the top of Mantles hat is missing. (Also the "Printed in USA" is missing from bottom). The whole image was cropped when they designed these reprints.
The back card stock color is another way to tell but not necessary with this reprint.

Frank is of course right. Frank, The knowledge that you have demonstrated on numerous card issues never ceases to amaze me.