I don't collect Cracker Jack cards, but I thought I would pick one up
recently just to see what they are like. I bought one on EBay with a few
red flags - the corners looked funny, it didn't seem "Cracker Jack Red"
to me and the back wasn't upside down (he claimed it was a 1915 CJ), but
I'm not an expert. To his credit, the seller contacted me and said
another buyer thought his was fake, so he wants to give me a full refund also.
I looked at it under a 20x loupe and it seemed OK.
So what do you experts think of this card? What should I look for here and next time?
Thanks in advance,
- Dave

Sorry, but that card is a fake.

Edited to add - Is the card smooth and on stiffer cardboard? Cracker Jacks are pretty thin and are printed on a textured paper. Like you said a 1915 has an upside down back.

Sean

When I first started a Cracker Jack collection I purchased several graded ones before I purchased any raw. That way I could look at the paper stock, coloring, and the spacing in the lettering. The borders on the 1914 are more of an off white than ture white. 1915s are easier to come by because of the paper stock and the abitlity to order a complete set. If interested I have about 100 1914s that I am selling in the buy sell trade area http://www.network54.com/Forum/376259/thread/1228705089/last-1232802822/Taking+Offers+Last+Chance+95+1914+Cracker+Jacks+F-S+PSA+SGC+GAI+Graded

Is the seller offering your money back and allowing you to keep the card?  It would be a nice card to keep for comparisons..  otherwise just get a good feel for it..

Marty

Card is a total fake. Looks like someone toned the back. The deep red is one of the easy give aways.

James G

Looking for 1915 Cracker Jacks and 1909-11 American Caramel E90-1.

The borders are the first thing you notice. Never a good sign on E-145-1 and 2's!

BcD

Dave,

They're telling you correctly. It is not real, send it back.

Stephen's suggestion is sound. If you can befriend a collector where you live who has some Cracker Jack cards. Once you actually see them, and feel them, then you'll be much better able to discern authenticity. Buying a low grade slabbed one and cracking him out might be a good way to do it.

A black light would help. Modern paper usually has brighteners in it, that fluoresces when illuminated with uv light. Paper after the late 40s usually glows purple, old paper doesn't. That CJ card you have would shine purple.

The 1914 cards are VERY thin, more like paper. They're actually a bit fragile. The 1915 cards are a bit thicker, and as mentioned above the reverse is flipped.

Thanks to everybody that responded. I always learn something from this
boaard. I'll get my money back, so no harm done.
- Dave

It's better than 'no harm'... you've taken a step along the path of being able to discern E145 Cracker Jack authenticity for yourself!! You're better off now than you were before. So it is a good deal!