4. 1907-09 PC773-2 H. M. Taylor "Mystery Card" Reported
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Front of card with "rights reserved" notice on back (Back #1) |
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Front of card with divided back and no copyright notice (Back #2) |
Reader Mike Peich ran across an unusual postcard at the Reading Card Show earlier this month. According to Peich, "At first I thought it was an H. M. Taylor team card of the Detroit Tigers. But, when I turned it over it did not have the Taylor imprint, and had a different kind of postcard back."
Nevertheless, Peich purchased the card. When he returned home and compared it with his known "Taylor" version he noticed that the type used for the caption ("Detroit Club") was also different. In fact, careful inspection of the two cards reveals that they are actually based on two slightly different photographs although taken only seconds apart.
Several small details, such as the slight difference in the direction that the dog is facing in the two photos, provide ample evidence that they are based on two different photos. Peich agrees, adding that "the expressions are different, with the 'mystery card' poses looking almost like an out-take that the photographer didn't like. In the mystery card, for example, Cobb looks like the surly individual he was, while he looks slightly more friendly in the 'Taylor' photo."
Note that any of these card images can be slightly enlarged by clicking on the desired image.
Back #1 (most common; "rights reserved" notice) |
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Back #2 (divided with no copyright notice) |
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From these observations, Peich speculates that the 'mystery card' may have been "produced by another manufacturer looking to capitalize on the popularity of the 1907 Tigers, or possibly Taylor sold the rights to reproduce the card, but I suspect they would not do this."
Peich's observations piqued our curiosity, so we contacted Old Cardboard author Robert Silverman, a collector who specializes in baseball postcards. After checking a full set of eight PC773-2 cards, Silverman found a remarkable array of different backs. In addition to the most common "rights reserved" back (Back #1 above) reported by Peich, Silverman found four other back variations as shown below.
Considering all of these variations, Peich and Silverman would like to hear from other collectors that may have even different backs for the H. M. Taylor set. Please contact them directly if you have any additional information about the set.
Silverman has posted images of the H. M. Taylor set on his website. Back scans for all eight cards can also be viewed from links below each card on his webpage.
Back #3 (Donovan on Front) |
Back #4 (Cobb Front) |
Back #5 (Team on Front) |
Back #6 (Horseshoe Front) |
Summary information about the PC773-2 H. M. Taylor Postcard set, including a Checklist and Gallery of the complete set, can also be found on the Old Cardboard website.
5. Down Home Texas Chili Cook-off (Y'all Come)
Setting Up Before the Crowd Arrives |
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The sixth annual Hardeman House of Hellfire Chili Cook-off will be held this year on November 18 and all Old Cardboard subscribers are invited! The event is held each year in Austin--the Capitol of Texas and the Live Music Capitol of the World!
We realize that the event is a little "off-topic" for a newsletter about vintage baseball cards. And, yes, we know that most of our subscribers don't even live in Texas. But for any of our readers who might be able to attend, we guarantee a full helping of Texas hospitality and some of the best chili you have ever tasted. Who knows, we may even set up a table just for vintage card trading.
Last year's event was attended by 15 contestants and over 250 guests, and we expect that this year will be even bigger. A video of last year's festivities can be viewed at www.oldcardboard.com/video/2006chilicookoff.wmv (along with some mighty fine music!).
A Tough Job for the Judges (and their palates) |
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If you think there is even a remote chance that you might be able to attend this year's cook-off, please email Lyman and he will make sure you get an evite.com notice along with updates, maps, and all the details. We hope to see you there (uh, here).
Lyman and Brett Hardeman
Old Cardboard, LLC.
Old Cardboard, LLC. was established in December, 2003, to help bring information on vintage baseball card collecting to the hobbyist. Produced by collectors for collectors, this comprehensive resource consists of three components: (1) Old Cardboard Magazine, (2) a companion website at www.oldcardboard.com and (3) this eNewsletter. The Old Cardboard website contains more than 500 pages of descriptive reference information for baseball card sets produced fifty years ago or longer. Each of these set summaries has a direct set-specific link to 
auctions and a similar link to 
's powerful search engine for further research. The website also includes a Show and Auction Calendar, an eBay Top 50 Vintage Sellers List, and much more. As a result, the Old Cardboard website makes a great "Alt-tab" companion for vintage card shoppers and researchers. Old Cardboard eNews provides current hobby news, upcoming shows and auctions, and updates to the website and the magazine. It is published around the middle of each month. For a FREE subscription to the eNewsletter, or for subscription information on Old Cardboard Magazine, please visit the website at www.oldcardboard.com. If you find this information resource helpful, please tell your friends. We need your support and your feedback. Thank you.
