Sweet Caporal Pins Question
 

I've had many Sweet Caporal pins during my collecting years. However, today I received my first one that isn't described as "Whitehead & Hoag". The label reads "SWEET CAPORAL CIGARETTES - STANDARD FOR YEARS - Factory No.25 - 2nd District of VA." No mention of Whitehead & Hoag. Is this a legit label?
Also, I would like to know how other collectors of these, or any other pins, feel about the vast majority of graded ones on ebay? Personally, I like mine ungraded, and will probably breakout the graded ones I own. I'd like to hear from other collectors. Thanks.

I don't see the purpose in grading them either. Why can't the collector decide the condition? Have you seen the senseless prices that the the "high-grade" examples command? And many times there's little difference between a "5" and an "8"... sometimes the "5" actually looks better! The only purpose that grading might serve is to verify authenticity... but I don't think there are many/any fakes of these being produced or floating around.

Of course I could be mistaken, but would think that any such "reprints" would be far more costly to produce than cards (and would immediately be identified as reproductions).

Thanks
 

Thanks perezfan for saying exactly what I was thinking. Any help with the paper backing being legit if it dosen't say "Whitehead & Hoag"?

Not sure about that variation of the paper backing.

But I bet someone on the Card side might know, if you want to post the question over there. These Pins are collected similar to Cards, as they are a set... Someone over in the Pre-War Card Forum should have a definitive answer for you...

Different Paper Backs
 

I have about 25 Sweet Caporal pins, with only the three different backs shown below. There may be more, but only one has "Whitehead & Hoag" on back... I'm pretty sure they are all legit.

Sweet Caporal Pins
 

Thanks Dave4Reds, mine is exactly like the one on the right. You made my day!