The T216 Peoples Tobacco issue is a rare one that is easily recognized by its three distinctive advertising back sponsors in Kotton, Mino, and Virginia Extra. Here's a closer look at the issue. T216 Peoples Tobacco Basics The T216 Peoples Tobacco cards look similar to other tobacco and candy issues of the era. Each one features a color lithograph of a player on the front … [Read more...]
Top Banner 486X60
Rare Multi-Sport T227 Series of Champions Headlined By Baseball Players
The 1912 T227 Series of Champions issue was a set of 25 cards honoring some of the top athletes in their sports. Here's a closer look at this unique tobacco issue. T227 Series of Champions Overview The T227 Series of Champions set was a small release issued with Miners Extra and Honest Long Cub tobacco products. In terms of appearance, this set is a little different from … [Read more...]
Duke Sons and Company Tobacco Featured 19th Century Baseball Issues
Old Judge and Allen & Ginter were mostly king when it comes to 19th Century baseball cigarette card issues. But one brand, Duke Sons and Company, included baseball cards in their products as well. Some of their sets included only a single baseball card in non-sports issues and are less relevant. But Duke Sons and Company also produced several sets consisting all … [Read more...]
1909 T204 Ramly Set A Unique Issue
When it comes to identifying the most unique pre-war tobacco cards, the 1909 T204 Ramly set has to be close to the top. This issue is not only fascinating but ridiculously difficult to complete. Issued by Mentor Tobacco Company in packs of cigarettes, they don't receive nearly the attention of their more famous cousins like T206. Here's a closer look at these … [Read more...]
Don’t Overlook International Pre-War Baseball Tobacco Cards
Pre-war baseball card collectors will find most of what they need domestically. However, there are some scarce (but affordable) international tobacco and cigarette cards that are worth your time as well. Here are five interesting releases of American baseball cards that were packaged with tobacco products in other countries. Babe Ruth 1929 Churchman's … [Read more...]
10 Top T207 Cards to Test Your Tenacity
The T207 brown background set isn't on the radar for most collectors. While the T206 is arguably the most popular pre-war set available with the T205 gold border issue not far behind, T207s just aren't as popular. The cards have a dark look to them with little color included, the set is missing some big stars from that era, and they are also much more difficult to find than the … [Read more...]
T205 Variations And Errors Make Completing A Master Set Difficult
While not as popular as its T206 brother, the T205 gold border set is without question one of the most beautiful baseball card issues ever created. In addition to its unique look, Hall of Famers and baseball greats weave through the 208-card (more on that in a bit) checklist. There are also a number of short print cards - some of which are very difficult to find. Unlike T206, … [Read more...]
1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin Cards A Rarity
Usually when collectors think about the earliest tobacco cards, the popular N172 Old Judge set comes to mind. However, another N-card release that fans should consider is the 1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin card set. Despite the somewhat confusing name, these are standard cardboard trading cards and not coins. The name stems from the cards' inclusion in packages of Gold Coin … [Read more...]
Fresh T206 Collection Uncovered
A collection of 366 different T206 cards including a low-grade example of the rare Eddie Plank is about to enter the hobby after a find in Massachusetts. The collection, purchased by Just Collect, has about 60 Hall of Famers including three each of Ty Cobb, Cy Young and Christy Mathewson, two Walter Johnson cards and the Plank, considered the third most rare card in the set … [Read more...]
SI Vault’s ‘Evolution of Baseball Cards’
Sports Illustrated recently produced a 21-minute podcast on the evolution of baseball cards. Beginning in the 19th century when the love of cigarettes grew and created a need and desire for packaging stiffeners to the gum-less packaging and on-demand world of the 21st century, the segment runs the gamut. There are interview clips with Freyda Spira, a curator at the … [Read more...]
