In your initial post you said
Quote:
I went back to the backup and dragged the contacts from Library/Application Support/Address Book. (Emphasis added)
but that's NOT the file joemike referenced, i.e. ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.AddressBook.

(Looking at that folder suggests to me that you may have needed to drag both it AND the one you drug.)

The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire