Q&A -- "Regular Size" T3

Today's email comes from a reader named Jeff:


Q:

"I have come across a smaller version of what is described as a Turkey Red cabinet card. The card measures 3 1/2" by 2 1/2". It is a #2 Bergen.

Do you know if this could be a reprint?"

(The image above is a real T3 Bergen that was offered in a Mears auction...and sold for $44)

A:

Yes, it's a reprint. T3s have been reprinted several times in what we now call "standard" size (which wasn't introduced until 1957). Authentic T3 cards are eight inches tall.

Q&A

"CHASING" INFO ABOUT T3 CARDS

Jacob poses the following:

Q:  "I have a Hal Chase NY baseball card. it appears to be a T3 Turkey Red card.  I've checked the card itself for any sign of it being a reproduction but I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be looking for.  All of the sites that I have been to have listed added features such as starbursts in the bottom corners or watermarks. The card itself has none of them. I was wondering if there was a good way to tell if this card was a reproduction or in fact one of the original cards."

(Image used from this site devoted to Hal Chase cards)

A:  Before I go into specifics, let me ask you one quick question...How big is the card?  If it's the same as a regular baseball card (you know, the ones we used to pull out of gum packs), it's not real.

Real T3s are MUCH larger and made on thicker cardboard.

PS:  Jacob's one-word response to this answer..."Nuts."