Gallery YAMTG Page 3

Gallery - You Asked, Mysteries, And Temp Galleries
Page 3 - 2004 Studio Private Signings Mystery - Both Numbered "3/5"

Well - how's this for a mystery? ;-)

Simple error? Production malfeasance? Who knows. I have three working theories on how this is possible. But since I'm not likely to discover how it happened - all three are viable explanations and therefore all can be considered 'true' while simultaneously considered 'false'. Don't you love inductive logic arguments? <g>

In no particular order here there they are:

Theory #1: I've seen some individually numbered cards that were damaged out of the pack and sent back to the manufacturer for replacement; then later the damaged card somehow made it back into hobby circulation. I can testify to this actually happening with the old Pinnacle Brands company. A guy I used to know (we fell out of touch years ago when I left Compuserve's Cards Forum) actually had two 94 or 95 Elites of Big Frank that had the exact same number.

Damn, I wish he would've relented and sold me that pair. I should've pushed harder. <lol> {:-D

and now...

Theory #2: It's entirely possible that it's a simple error in the production process. Anyone performing repetitive tasks can testify to losing track, blanking-out, or just being mind-numb from the work. I think it's very easy to miss something like creating two same numbered cards during a mental lapse.

and finally...

Theory #3: One of the contract press operators needed to make some beer/rent money and punched in another '3/5', quietly pocketed the extra, and then sold it on the downlow.

As I've said all three are viable explanations. Feel free to choose which theory best suits your own point-of-view. :-)

But what I can say for certain is this: It's different from the one I purchased back in '04 AND it's genuine.

The example I purchased back in 2004 and...	The example I just purchased. (8.13.07) Check out the red & yellow sign by Frank's right elbow. In the one I purchased in '04 it's slightly cut off - in the one above it's full and complete.
You'll note that both the fronts and backs are in fact ever so slightly different...	From the most obvious = the signatures. To the more subtle = the different cropping of the front image. Note: The individual number stamp is in a slightly different location.