The T204 Ramly set is one of the most prized pre-war issues. Highlighted by ornate gold borders and an early Walter Johnson card, it is a heavily-desired set.
Late hobby pioneer Frank Nagy previously acquired a spectacular uncut sheet of this release distributed by Ramly Turkish Cigarettes. To date, it may be the only known one in existence. The cards were then cut and produced some of the best examples of the set known to the hobby. Earlier, SGC had agreed to re-label any of the previously graded Nagy cards with a new identification that they are sheet cut. That was done in an effort to distinguish them from other high-grade examples.
Now, SGC wants to put the sheet back together.
As a way to celebrate that incredible piece, SGC is seeking to digitally reconstruct the uncut sheet that once resided in Nagy’s collection.
The cards obviously cannot be physically put back together. However, it is hoped that a digital image can be created, utilizing pictures of all of the individual cards. One of the things SGC hopes to accomplish is determining the position of each card on the sheet.
SGC has located scans of a portion of those cards. However, they are asking for the help of collectors to provide scans of the missing ones. To fully recreate the sheet, they need the help of owners of cards for which they do not have scans.
SGC CEO Dave Forman recently explained the new initiative in greater detail.
“We want to recreate Frank Nagy’s original sheet using the modern technology available to us and see if we can learn anything new about it,” said Forman. “It would be great to find out the positioning of each piece within the sheet, including the famed Walter Johnson card. But we can’t do it without the support of our fellow collectors.”
That’s where the hobby comes in. Current owners of any of the Nagy cards can help by contacting SGC directly.
“If you think you have a card from this sheet,” Forman added, “please send us a scan to [email protected] and help SGC recreate one of the hobby’s greatest treasures.”
The T204 Ramly set includes a total of 121 cards. It is notable for missing big names from the era, including Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Cy Young. However, it still includes an impressive roster of talent. In addition to Johnson, collectors will find many other Hall of Famers present in it, including Eddie Collins, Willie Keeler, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Joe Tinker, Chief Bender, Roger Bresnahan, Bobby Wallace, among others.
The cards have a distinctive look, utilizing black and white portraits inside of a gold picture frame-style border. They are not entirely scarce, but they are not as plentiful as other tobacco issues, either. To date, fewer than 5,000 have been graded by PSA and SGC combined. You can see some for sale and auction here.
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