T206 American Beauty Printing Process

[usernamealreadytaken]

As I understand it, in the printing/cutting process for T206 cards, the cards were printed on a big sheet, and cut vertically/horizontally to produce the cards we know today. There was no waste -- the entire sheet was sliced up (this results in see some cards with the front (name/team, player image) or back (advertisement) displaying portions of neighboring cards if the sheets were "miscut.")

So far, so good.

My question concerns American Beauty 350 with frame cards. It is very uncommon that this back advertisement (inc. frame and scroll on either side) fits entirely on the card -- in fact, on some, it is impossible due to the narrowness. However, it is rare to see the "spillover" discussed above (portions of another cards' back) on AB350s w/ frame. Could it be that these were cut in such a way that there were scrap borders (thin strips between each card)?

[rp12367]

I thought they were cut regular size at first, then at some point they where re-cut/trimmed a 2nd time, making them narrow. So there would be very little "spill-over" due to original cutting. They started out as regular T206. Maybe someone else can shed more light.

[atx840]

Originally Posted by rp12367

I thought they were cut regular size at first, then at some point they where re-cut/trimmed a 2nd time, making them narrow. So there would be very little "spill-over" due to original cutting

I think its been concluded that a second round of cutting happened and likely would remove any spill over from a neighbouring card.

[tedzan]

There is such variability in the cuts of the AB frame cards that it's very difficult to figure out exactly why American Litho. sliced them narrower than all the other T206 brands.

For example....my Davy Jones is approx. the same width as a normal T206. While my Matty is narrower.


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TED Z

[Ronnie73]

I believe they were cut to normal size but because the cigarette packs were more narrow than the other brands, they were then trimmed on the sides. Because the frame did not fit the needed smaller size, they removed it in the 1910 and 1911 printings.

There are some cards that seem to have missed the second trimming.

[tedzan]

Ron

Here is a circa 1910 AMERICAN BEAUTY (10-cigarette) pack; and, it is the same size as any PIEDMONT, SOVEREIGN, etc. packs.




TED Z

[Ronnie73]

Hi Ted, thats interesting. Is it possible that cigarette packs were smaller in 1909 and they increased the pack size in 1910 and 1911 but never told the printers of the change? If not, then why the narrower cards. I guess we still don't know for sure if the cards were cut by the printers or the packers. Most likely the printers or there would probably be many uncut sheets.

[tedzan]

The first printing of the T206 American Beauty 350 (Frame) cards was during the Summer of 1910.

Also, my understanding of American Beauty cigarette packs is that they contained 10 cigarettes and were the standard size pack from 1901-12.

It remains a mystery why AB cards were cut narrower. Furthermore, many AB 460 T206's are found even more narrower than the AB 350 cards.
I have approx. 60 - AB 460 cards, and most of them are quite narrow.


TED Z

[Ronnie73]

Originally Posted by tedzan

The first printing of the T206 American Beauty 350 (Frame) cards was during the Summer of 1910.

Also, my understanding of American Beauty cigarette packs is that they contained 10 cigarettes and were the standard size pack from 1901-12.

It remains a mystery why AB cards were cut narrower. Furthermore, many AB 460 T206's are found even more narrower than the AB 350 cards.
I have approx. 60 - AB 460 cards, and most of them are quite narrow.


TED Z

Your American Beauty 460 subset is gonna be incredible when its completed. Any ideas on your next project? Maybe the rest of the AB series?

[Bridwell]

This thinner American Beauty pack has 15 cigs and a 1910 tax stamp.

[Ronnie73]

Does anyone have a picture of an American Beauty T206 ad? Maybe the cards were only put in the soft packs that were narrower with the 15. Maybe it was buy 10 and get no card or buy 15 and get a card insert. Just a thought.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Ronnie73

Does anyone have a picture of an American Beauty T206 ad? Maybe the cards were only put in the soft packs that were narrower with the 15. Maybe it was buy 10 and get no card or buy 15 and get a card insert. Just a thought.

Ronnie, we have examples of 'normal' width AB's, so it's probable that the thinner ones were cut thin to fit in the 15-cig packs and the wider ones let alone, to fit in the wide packs.

[Ronnie73]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Ronnie, we have examples of 'normal' width AB's, so it's probable that the thinner ones were cut thin to fit in the 15-cig packs and the wider ones let alone, to fit in the wide packs.

That would explain the reason for the two sizes even though its just a possibility but a good one. I guess the next step would be to start a list of all the untrimmed American Beauty's and see if the list matches a certain print run.

[steve B]

How about narrow cards from other brands? I have at least one that's AB narrow.

Steve B

[Ronnie73]

I've seen some Uzit's that were narrow like the American Beauty's that were numerically graded but none of the other backs except for the many hand trimmed authentic cards which wouldn't count.

[Runscott]

You guys know this already, but AB's are the only ones that have a significant percentage cut thin.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Ronnie73

I've seen some Uzit's that were narrow like the American Beauty's that were numerically graded but none of the other backs except for the many hand trimmed authentic cards which wouldn't count.

This Piedmont is very narrow, compares well with the few ABs I have.
Steve B