How to tell a fake from authentic Cracker Jack card

[fkw]

Made a scan today, and though id share it here for those that may not know...

The E145-2 Series of Cracker Jack Cards are well known for having reprints doctored to look old, being sold on eBay as authentic.

This "doctored" reprint card in scan below (on right) is on eBay right now by a power seller being sold as authentic with a few bids
http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-1915-CRACKER-JACK-BASEBALL-CARD-172-mayer-/120655448469

These "doctored" reprints used to be more common on eBay buy not so much anymore.

The authentic cards of both E145-1 and E145-2 DO NOT use ink for the white parts of the card, they use the natural paper color. So on authentic cards where the border meets the uniform they will always blend together where they meet (see scan of authentic card on left).
On the reprint when they design them they crop off the borders (so they dont get print dots or a line from end of card when they rescan them and cut them from a sheet). they then have to add a new border and reproduct the caption at bottom, the new border is way too white and you can see the line where the uniform meets the border, and the reproduced caption is usually too bold (too black).

authentic...................................................................reprint

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How to tell the authentic 1914 E145-1 cards from 1915 E145-2 cards...

1914 (E145-1) cards were only issued in boxes of CJs, they will say "144 pictures" on the back, and the back is printed normal side up (in other words.... the top edge of back is the same edge as the top of the front)

1915 (E145-2) cards were issued in boxes, but also were available from a company offer for a complete set on back of the card. They will say "176 pictures" on the back, and the back is ALWAYS printed upside down (in other words... the top edge of the back is the same edge as the bottom of the front)

Now there is no excuse for getting burnt by buying a fake CJ ...........might help someone new to CJs

 

[scotty21690]

Great information I must say, as I am in the market for a CJ. Thanks for posting

 

[WoundedDuck]

Thank you very much for that information. I really want to pick up a low grade CJ HoFer myself and this will hopefully help me not get burned.

 

[rc4157]

As always, Frank has some of the best info regarding reprints on various types of vintage cards.

Thanks, RC

 

[Mr.1989]

thanks