Backs

The first back to be produced noted a list of 75 "Prominent Base Ball Players and Athletes". This was a
wonderful checklist of 50 of the greatest ballplayers of the day along with 25 "athletes" or boxers. Each back
provided the collector with instructions similar to those found on the coupons which were redeemed for the
cards themselves. In actuality, there are 51 baseball players available with the 1-75 back. The #28 card,
originally showing Harry McIntyre of Brooklyn was updated very early in the printing and corrected to show his
team designation as Brooklyn now with Chicago Nat'l. Thus, both versions of the card can be found with the
1-75 back.

The second back to be produced made an addition to the checklist, noting #76, the great boxing legend Jack
Johnson. No other changes were made in the series. There are 50 possible baseball players available with
the 1-76 back, McIntyre - Brooklyn being unavailable after the 1-75 printing update.
The final back variation to be produced is sometimes noted as the "No-Ad" back. A very distinct and regal
looking back variation, the 1-76 checklist remains, however the coupon redemption information found on the
bottom of the 1-75 and 1-76 backs is now omitted. I believe these backs were produced without redemption
instructions specifically to reduce the requests for first series cards in preparation for the issuance of the
second series of cards to come.

While most T3 collectors find that completing the basic set of 100 fronts (without variations) is enough of a
challenge, some have taken on the goal of collecting back variations as well. With tongue in cheek, I ask you to
take pity on this dedicated group.

The second back produced was a very unique back and is commonly known as the Turkey Red "Ad Back".
In similar strategy to the first series "No Ad" back, I believe this back version was produced at the end of
the premium offer in an attempt to quell ongoing requests for the cards. Coupons had certainly ceased
being inserted into Turkey Red cigarette boxes, and so no more coupons, no more checklists and no
more redemption instructions allowed the promotion to slowly wind down. This back variation has always
been popular with collectors. Not as rare as most will claim, it is certainly a bit harder to find than it's
second series checklist back partner. And because second series cards are slightly more difficult to
locate when compared to first series cards, it is a relatively more difficult variation all in all.

In the second series, variations on the card fronts correlated with variations in the card backs. Card #90
noting "Doolan" was found with the 77-126 checklist back, however it's corrected version noting the
spelling as "Doolin" wil be found with an Ad Back. Card #112 noting Paskert - Cincinnati will be found
with a checklist back, the updated version noting Paskert - Cincincnnati and Phila Nat'l will carry the Ad
Back. Lastly, card # 122 noting Tenney - NY Nat'l will carry the checklist back, while the updated version
noting Tenney - NY and Boston Nat'l will have the Ad Back variation.

Finally, I believe the #114 card of Bob Rhoades, often noted as one of the most difficult cards in the set to
obtain, will only be found with the checklist back. This "short print" is an explanation for the card's relative
scarcity. So, while 50 fronts will be found with the 77-126 checklist back, only 49 will be found with the Ad
Back variety.