My proposed hobby book...........................

[ALR-bishop]

Larry Fritsch has a Catalog, which I think can be accessed on line, with a pretty comprehensive list of reprint sets with descriptions for sale

[brob28]

What I'd like to see is a book showing all the known reprints sets with tips on how to identify them vs. the original cards. If not for anything else it would make it harder for the scammers out there to sell the reprints as originals.

[novakjr]

I agree with you on that Bill. I always liked when the "Standard Catalog" had some of these type of things listed, along with fantasy pieces.. Kinda like the St. Loius Browns(most notably Satchel Paige) pen clips(or whatever they're called). Most people assume they're from the '50s and sell them that way. Meanwhile the Standard Catalog lists them as fantasy pieces from the 80's. I think listing 'em is alot better for the hobby than simply not mentioning 'em..

[theseeker]

Originally Posted by brob28

What I'd like to see is a book showing all the known reprints sets with tips on how to identify them vs. the original cards. If not for anything else it would make it harder for the scammers out there to sell the reprints as originals.

I don't know about that, don't all the legitimate reprint sets (and by legitimate I mean that they were print for the expressed purpose of being used as reprints) have instantly identifiable markings and/or size variations from the originals? But a book that would include helping to identify some of the better made fakes that are floating around would be very helpful.

[Rich Klein]

Always worth doing the research. A booklet is not a bad idea, go for it, understand you will not sell a lot of copies so either be ready to do this for a loss Or do a job like Adam does and charge enough $$$ to understand that is your audience.

Rich

[Volod]

Originally Posted by theseeker

I don't know about that, don't all the legitimate reprint sets (and by legitimate I mean that they were print for the expressed purpose of being used as reprints) have instantly identifiable markings and/or size variations from the originals? But a book that would include helping to identify some of the better made fakes that are floating around would be very helpful.

Good point John - Apparently, many newbies confuse the two simply because the reprint sets are not all that common and so assume they were printed as exact duplications.

[brob28]

Originally Posted by Volod

Good point John - Apparently, many newbies confuse the two simply because the reprint sets are not all that common and so assume they were printed as exact duplications.

Guys, I and many other newbies know about the reprint sets but I've seen a lot of those reprint cards that were later altered to look like originals. If there is information to help the newb's identify any items like this isn't it better for all in the hobby? A book with info on the better or more frequent fakes would be great part to that book. The knowledge I've gained from the many knowledgeable people on this and other forums has helped me and others numerous times but all this information in one source would be great, in my humble newbie opinion.

[Volod]

Didn't mean to characterize anyone with the term, newbie - was just pointing out what may be a misperception by collectors not too familiar with reprint sets. The fakes produced from reprints that I have seen were mostly very obvious. They usually involved just erasing the reprint copyright line or photoshopping a facsimile of a genuine copyright line over it. This might be enough to fool a rather naive buyer not familiar with the genuine article, but such other indicators of fakery, such as the size, cardstock and coloration would, or should, be immediate tip-offs, even to a hobby novice. I wonder if illustrations of counterfeits could help as much as simply knowing what a genuine card looks and feels like.

[brob28]

I agree Steve, I've seen a lot of bad attempts at erasing copyrights etc. Nothing will ever be as good as actually handling a card in person. I'll admit to being a newb when it comes to pre-war and getting farmiliar with some of the sets is part of my battle. One article I read decscribed in detail the method of printing used to create the gold borders on T205's and what to look for in originals. It has been priceless to me because it not only helps me authenticate cards but also helps when identifying alterations. This is the type of information I'm thinking about. If there was a book to pass this information on it would be a great benefit to the newer collectors. I do agree with you though, that there are somethings that are, and should be obvious to a collector. As an example I believe the 52 Topps reprint set cards are smaller than the originals. Anyway, no offense at the Newb remark, I am a pre-war newb and I'm starved for information to jump into the pre-world/turn of the century world with my eys open.

Cheers,

[theseeker]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Larry Fritsch has a Catalog, which I think can be accessed on line, with a pretty comprehensive list of reprint sets with descriptions for sale

Larry Fritsch Inc has sold out of many reprint sets that are no longer included on the site. It also includes only one unspecified version of any given set. And zero hockey reprints. It's meant to help sell what he has in stock, nothing beyond that. I'd like more-- I know, never happen.