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Posted By: Erland

Lot 746 in the August 2001 Hunt Auction describes a Cobb Pinkerton with a 1910 postmark. Unfortunately, there isn't a back scan to see any print present on the back (or confirm the date first hand). Assuming the date is correct, that could put the cardboard Pinkertons earlier than the cabinets - or at least contemporary to them. It at least would imply that they were distributed over a number of years as several others have already stated.

http://www.huntauctions.com/online/view_lots_items_list_closed.cfm?auction=8&start_number=701&last_number=800