Feedback on Brick Options

I'm looking for some advice from those of you who have experience with reclaimed brick, new brick, and brick finishes.

The first four photos below are the look I'm trying to achieve. I love the warm red brick with the subtle white aged appearance. My builder knows I've been looking for an "Old Chicago" or "Old St. Louis" style -- or at least that's what I think it is called.

My questions are:

Does this look like authentic reclaimed Old Chicago/Old St. Louis brick, or does it look more like a newer manufactured brick that's designed to mimic reclaimed brick?

What color mortar do you think was used?

What is the finish called that creates the subtle white coverage? Is it a light German smear, a mortar slurry, a limewash, or something else?









Since reclaimed Old Chicago (assumning that is what I am actually looking for) brick is pretty expensive, my builder suggested a more budget-friendly option. Their supplier, Economy Brick, carries Cherokee Brick Company's "Chicago Used" brick, which is intended to replicate reclaimed Chicago brick. The salesperson told me it's roughly half the cost of actual reclaimed brick.

Here's the sample:



To be honest, I'm not crazy about the blue and gray tones that come through in this brick. I know those colors are common in authentic Chicago brick, but they're not really what I'm drawn to.

Economy Brick also works with Old Texas Brick, and I found one of their bricks that both my daughters and I really like. It's called Soft Red.









Do you think the Old Texas Brick "Soft Red" could achieve the same overall look as my inspiration photos with the right mortar color and a light lime wash or slurry treatment? Or do you think I'm better off pursuing reclaimed Old Chicago or Old St. Louis brick?

I'd really appreciate any opinions or suggestions from those who have built with these products or have experience creating this style.

ChatGPT is saying this about the Old Texas Brick "Old Soft Red":

If I were writing the masonry specifications, I'd ask for:

Brick

Old Texas Brick — Soft Red

Mortar

Buff or Ivory (not gray)

Finish

Very light limewash or mortar wash
Approximately 15–20% white coverage
Brush applied
Wiped back immediately
Allow wash to remain primarily in pits, edges, and mortar joints
Do not obscure the natural color variation of the brick

That combination would be very close to your inspiration photos.

How accurate do you think this is?

Edited ...

Lastly, here is another brick that I like (minus the black bricks) from Cherokee Brick Company. This is called Raleigh Used, specifically with the Ivory Mortar:







^^^ same brick in all 3 pictures (Raleigh Used), but looks very different assuming because of the mortar and finish.