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runscottIt is easy enough to find these in high grade, and at reasonable prices. I collect the t218 runners and most of mine or EXMT, I got all from ebay, and never paid more than $9 each, which I have since learned is a bit high.
But regarding NM cards - it is not that difficult to find high-grade pre-wwi non-sport tobacco cards, and my understanding is that this is because there were organized collectors of such cards in Britain from the very beginning, whereas Americans were sticking the sports-related ones in albums and in their wallets. You might want to join "The Cartophilic Society of Great Britain" if you have a big interest in such cards.