Gary Heckman writes:

> I have a 1918 QRS Player Roll Catalog.  The first page shows
> the meaning of QRS which reads "QUALITY REAL SERVICE" ...

My 1922 QRS Dealer catalog has the same front page, with the "Q"
the "R" and the "S" emphasized to draw attention to the initials.
I'll attach a scan of this page for MMD's images.

I've been in this delightful avocation since the mid 1960s and,
early on, this same question did emerge from time to time.  At that
time it was generally believed that the initials stood for Quality
Roll Service, but then a couple of old catalogs emerged that support
Gary's observation.

Regards,
Terry Smythe
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/rebirth.htm