1940 Play Ball Authentic or reprint?

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IRobo

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I'm NO vintage expert so I would love to hear some thoughts on if this card is real or not. I know there are a TON of awesome Vintage guys here and I would love some feedback.
Here is a scan of the front and of the back.
gomezfront.jpg
gomezback.jpg
 
don't reprints usually have the year they were printed in on the back? That shows 1940. It looks to be in really good condition too...
I've got a few 1939's, I'll have to scan those in to find out if mine are real...
 
don't reprints usually have the year they were printed in on the back? That shows 1940. It looks to be in really good condition too...
I've got a few 1939's, I'll have to scan those in to find out if mine are real...

I thought that at first, but couldn't they just put whatever date on it?
 
At that point, it's a forgery, correct?

The possibility exists the image could be indeed copyrighted in 1940, even though it was printed after, many of the basketball cards of the 70's have a 1969 copyright date.

The feel of the paper stock is one way to tell an original from a reprint. Paper in those days was not the quality of today recent past. Very hard to tell from a photo.

On the plus side it looks like it was in a photo album for some time as the top left border is clean and the middle borders are showing what appears to be age.

Hope it helps some.
 
If it is real, it should feel very thin and flimsy. This may sound goofy, but paper/cardboard that is that old, should have a very distinct smell also. Its not a reprint, or it would say so somewhere on the card. IMO, its either an authentic card from 1940, or its a fake.
 
Do you have any Playball cards? Because I would say you are exactly opposite on that phrase. 1939-41 Playball cards are firm, not flimsy. I have never measured, but I'd even guess that most of the basic newer cards are thinner than these. If anything, it will feel thick, heavier than a new card and perhaps even a little brittle. Sometimes you can see chipping on these cards before you see the fuzziness of round corners.

It looks real, but it is very hard to tell from a scan. It is in fantastic shape, but many of those cards seem to be on the market is remarkable shape for their age. The toning is common with those cards as well.

If it is real, it should feel very thin and flimsy. This may sound goofy, but paper/cardboard that is that old, should have a very distinct smell also. Its not a reprint, or it would say so somewhere on the card. IMO, its either an authentic card from 1940, or its a fake.
 
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