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Repro Alert - Your Guide to Fake & Reproduction Antiques & Collectibles
All content © 2006 ReproAlert
All Rights Reserved
Fake & Repro Comic Character Pinback Buttons

A visual guide to identifying
fake, fantasy, & reproduction
"vintage" collectors items on
eBay, Yahoo & other venues

Superman, Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Captain Marvel, Disney characters, etc. These shown are just the tip of the iceberg. Let's see pics of the fake comic pinbacks in YOUR collection. Sharp closeup JPGs of both fake & authentic versions are needed. If you can fill in any of the blanks below regarding sizes, litho or cello, identifying features, etc., it would be most appreciated. Email me at .
Superman-Tim Club Pinback
Superman-Tim Club
Pinback
Repro (shown): 7/8" cello. No white line on Superman's cape. No shoulder on Tim.
Authentic (on mouseover): Superman-Tim Club pinback C. 1942 was a 7/8" litho. White fold line on cape. Tim has shoulder. Back reads "Member in Good Standing"
Fake Dumbo D-X Pinback
Walt Disney's Dumbo
D-X Pinback
Repro (shown): 1 1/4" cello. No stars along right side
Authentic: Original Dumbo D-X pinback was a gasoline station giveaway from 1942. 1 1/4" cello. 4 stars along right side.
Fake Donald Duck RPM Motor Oil Pinback
Donald Duck
RPM Motor Oil Pinback
Repro (shown): This Donald Duck RPM Motor Oil pinback is possibly a fantasy item. Size of this PB is unknown. Artwork source may have been a 24" tin sign from the 40's.
Snow white Jingle Club Pinback
Snow White Jingle Club
Pinback
Repro (shown): 1 1/4" "cello". No back paper. Lines fatter w/ loss of detail. Some areas filled in completely (right dwarf's nose & fingers).
Authentic (on mouseover): 1 1/4" cello from 1938. Kay Kamen back paper. Nice detail with fine lines.
Archie Club Pinback
Archie Club
Member Pinback
Repro (shown): 1 1/2" cello.
(on mouseover): 1 1/2". Not sure on this one. This Archie Club pin has been reproduced many times since it originally came out in the 50s, so this may just be another unauthorized version.
Captain Marvel Club Pinback
Captain Marvel Club
Shazam Pinback
Repro (shown): This reproduction has been seen in 1 1/4" & 1 3/4" diameters. Cello.
Authentic (on mouseover): The original Captain Marvel Club pinback of this design was from the early 40's & was a 7/8" litho.
Fake Captain Marvel Club Pinback
Captain Marvel Club
Pinback
Repro (shown): 1 3/4" cello.
Fake Flash Pinback
Effanbee - Member
Patsy Doll Club
Repro (shown): 1" cello. No information on the misspelling of "BASTIAN". Hake's button book also shows it as "BASTION".
Authentic (?): Hakes shows the last 4 Patsy names aligned left (P's line up).
Fake Flash Pinback
The Flash
Pinback
Repro (shown): 2 1/4" cello.
Authentic: 1 1/8" litho- a very rare & much sought after comic character pinback from 1942. It was offered to readers of All-Flash Comics #6 via a coupon.
Fake Popeye Pinback
S.S. Popeye
KMOX-TV Pinback

Repro (shown): 1 1/4" cello. Light blue on white. Loss of some detail.
Authentic: 1 1/4" cello. Dark blue on white.

 
Dick Tracy Detective (facing left w/ gun) Pinback
Dick Tracy Detective
Pinback- (Facing left w/ gun)
Repro (shown): 1 1/4" cello. Space between lettering & rim, & between Tracy's pic & "DETECTIVE".
Authentic (on mouseover): 1 1/4" cello. Back paper: "Read Dick Tracy ...". Lettering closer to rim. Dick Tracy's hand down to word "DETECTIVE".
Fake Buck Rogers Pinback
Buck Rogers / 25th Century
Pinback
Repro (shown): 2 1/4" cello. Pin protrudes through 2 holes in a separate back piece.
Authentic: Original Buck Rogers pinback was a 1935 Cream of Wheat premium. 1" cello. Whitehead & Hoag backpaper.