The Original Disneyland Cards vs. the D23 Reproductions

D23 is the official Disney fan club.  It gets its name from the year 1923, when Walt and his brother Roy started the Disney Studio.  For a fee, you can join the club and attend their special events held throughout the year.  At these events, they will give out collectible "members only" items for the fans as a reward for their loyalty.

A few years back, someone at D23 thought it would be a great idea to reproduce the original 23 postcards that were published for the opening of Disneyland.  When I first heard about this set, and saw it for the first time, I was a tad dismayed.  Below are two scans, one of the original P11876 card, the other of the D23 reproduction.

While at first glance this could be disturbing, the Disney postcard collector need not panic!  There are several characteristics that help distinguish between the cards.

First of all, if you look closely, you'll note that the reproduction card has been crop in a little closer.  This is the case on most of the D23 cards...but in some of the cases, it is rather subtle.  So, if you have the card in front of you, the next clue is the card stock.  The original card isn't your standard postcard stock like the original, but feels thinner and more flexible.

This is the original card P11876 (NT card #0001)

This is the reproduction D23 card P11876 (NT card #0001)

Finally, there is a semi-gloss finish on the reproduction card.  It is semi-gloss on both sides.  The original card can have a very high gloss on the front if in excellent condition, but will be a matte finish on the back.  

So there you have it.  For all of you out there who collect these cards, rest assured that passing one of the newer cards off as an older one is "not in the cards"!  (Sorry...that was pretty bad.)

Until next time...