TIMETABLE REPRINTS

by Emory Kemler

First published and © February 1974 by the National Assn. of Timetable Collectors

It seems inevitable that once something is collected, it will be imitated. We timetable collectors have not been spared. Timetable reproductions exist for many of the seldom-seen traction and mountain short line issues, and, surprisingly, even for some recent, easily-imitated issues. Each collector can make his own decision as to whether to include such material in his collection, providing he can distinguish the real from the fake! Hopefully the list of reprints in this issue of The Timetable Collector will assist that endeavor.

The reprint list was compiled from many sources, and in some cases complete information is lacking. We hope to provide a forum for any members who have additional data on confirmed or suspected reprints, or corrections or additions to this list. Intentionally excluded from the list are (1) timetables reprinted by the railroads for their current use, (2) partially reprinted timetables produced for advertising purposes or as illustrations in or supplements to publications (such as The Timetable Collector), and (3) fantasies, i.e., fan-produced timetables which are not reproductions of railroad issues.

Reference to the nature of the marking of the reprints is included in the column headed "Marking". "Print" indicates that some identification, such as the word "reprint," was printed as an integral part of the reproduction. "Stamp" indicates that the reprints were marked after reproduction; in many cases these reprints also exist without marking. For those reprints for which accurate information is not available as to the nature of the marking, the word "yes" is used.

Sometimes a small railway without significant legitimate demand for up-to-date timetables would print a "show" timetable as a vehicle for promoting the line, its facilities, and its contribution to the local community. Occasionally, the railway itself would reprint the "show" timetable long after its imprinted date. An example was the December 10, 1922, issue of the Rock Island Southern. This is not considered a reprint in the sense of this article.

There is no foolproof way to identify the unmarked reprints, but here are a few clues:

• The bulk of the reprints are produced using some photographic reproduction process. Such a process normally results in paper that is smooth to the touch. The printing can be felt in older, letterpress-printed originals. In addition, illustrations and maps may appear dark and unclear in the reprint.
• Another indicator is the timetable smell - an old timetable smells old! A timetable without smell is most likely of recent origin. It should be remembered, of course, that even a reprint may be over sixty years old, since most were produced in the 1950s and 1960s.

[The most problematic reprints came from a well-meaning publication program of a high quality journal of the 1960s called the Electric Traction Quarterly. Every issue contained a beautiful reprint of a midwestern traction timetable, but many were not marked "REPRINT". The most deceptive was the reprint of the 1917 Joliet & Eastern Traction Co. in red and black ink. An important test is whether any collector has EVER seen another date! The answer is often "no".

Fortunately, most timetable reprints are offered for sale innocently. In many cases, they were originally added to collections fifty years ago by collectors who had no reason to question their authenticity. Only occasionally are reprints offered on a fraudulent basis. The 1893 Lehigh & Hudson River was professionally reprinted on old paper with an intent to deceive. The forgery has been sold at auction in recent years for well over $150 (aren't you glad we aren't into million dollar art?). Coincidentally, the 1931 reprint of the same railroad is the most frequently offered deception in eBay auctions, appearing regularly about every two months. Wise buyers should make it a practice to check this list before making a "hail Mary" bid! (ed. note)]