Posted By:
Jim HarkinsFrank,
Thanks for referring me to Lew Lipsets Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards. It's been 20 years since I've read it, and it truly is a great reference book. I spent about 4 hours last night (while watching the world series) reading the section on B18's, over and over. I wish he was just a little clearer. Here is my interpretation of what he writes.
A collector found a box containing a number of B18s. On the outside of the box was written the brand name, Egyptienne Straights Cigarettes. Inside the box each B18 was folded in a small manila envelope. The adhesive strip was intact.
Definitely this was a great find. Something we all Dream about.
My guess, 90 some years ago a guy liked this brand of cigarettes and had no interest in baseball. Or maybe he was the store owner. The cigarettes got sold and the blankets went into the box. The adhesive strip had to wrap around the pack of cigarettes. Possibly a second strip went around the blanket? I don't know. Lew Lipset, if your out there, I would love to here more about this find.