This set of 25 cards is really the first series issued by the Philadelphia Caramel Co. The second series is the E96 set. E95s are quite colorful and this set is available eough and attractive enough to make it a collector's favorite.

I have been told of a card with printing on the back that matches an E95 card but is in red ink. I have never seen it, it hasn't been verified. I have seen a blank backed E95 Wiltse card on the regulsr card stock but i didn't want to pay 4-figures for it.

The Checklist:

 

 

 

Gallery (Coming)

 

E95/E96 PROOFS:
There have been found and collected blanked backed "cards" on paper stock. There has been a lot made out of these "cards" on thin paper stock that look just like E95 or E96 cards that some collectors are calling proofs. Are they or aren't they? A recently discovered child's school notebook cover that is titled "Base Ball Series" uses art from the E95 and E96 sets. SGC even went so far as to grade a Lajoie as a proof. Not all of the known paper versions are one this one cover but since the title uses the word "series" I am assuming there is more then one version and in fact other cards have been found. Use your own best judgment if offered a "proof" E95 or E96 card.

I have prepared a page further covering this topic. (Click Here)

 

E95 REPRINTS:
This entire set has been reprinted. Obvious ways to tell are:

1. In the lower left corner on the backs of the reprints the word "reprint" was added. Any scuffing or erasing in this spot, especially if it is the only spot on the card, is a sign the card could be fake.

2. Original cards have white borders. The white is the color of the paper stock. There is NO printing in these areas except for the text along the bottom. When the reprints were made the producers scanned the entire card, where borders and all and printed the cards that way. The result was that the borders on the reprints are actually a light gray in appearance, not pure white, and under magnification you can see the printing dots.

3. On originals, the text is a finer quality on both the front and back. During the process described in item #2, the edges of the text became rough due to the dot patterns needed for modern printing techniques. Unless you are very familiar with these processes using this item to determine authenticity is difficult.

I have prepared a page to help you identify the reprints. (Click Here)

Other varieties of fakes can be made using computer scanners and color printers or copiers.

 

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