We often speak about "the provenance" of certain vintage cards. Senator Richard Russell's collection is one of the highlights of our hobby. According to Russell's
Biography, he was smoking at the early age of 13 and acquired many of his Tobacco cards (circa 1909-1911) from cigarette packs that he, or his father smoked.
The available T-brands (where he grew up in Winder, GA) were PIEDMONT and OLD MILL. His collection totals 900+ cards.....T206's and OLD MILL's (T210's).
Russell's collection can be viewed at the Univ. of Geogia (Athens campus). An appointment is required.
I became quite interested in Russell's collection in 2006, while I was completing my all-PIEDMONT T206 set. I noticed on Ebay a group of PIEDMONT T206's that
included very rare PIEDMONT 350 backs. I won them. My curiosity motivated me to contact the seller, an Atlanta Antiques dealer. He informed me that Russell's
Great-Granddaughter had consigned many of Russell's duplicates to him. I ended up acquiring 87 of Russell's T206's. More details regarding this acquisition (with
scans) will follow in the next post on this thread.
Joe Doyle N. Y. Nat'l
Theory is that American Lithographic caught the error of the "Nat'l" lettering in this card's caption very early; and, removed it from the printing plate. Initially, it
was printed in an early 350-series press run of PIEDMONT cards....and, can be found only with the PIEDMONT 350 back. As of today, there are only 8 confirmed
Joe Doyle N.Y. Nat'l cards.
Sen. Russell's Joe Doyle N. Y. Nat'l card.
Ty Cobb / Ty Cobb back
Russell was an avid BB and FB fan in his youth. Growing up 50 miles Northeast of Atlanta, he was a huge fan of Ty Cobb. He met Cobb and they became friends
for life. Perhaps, that friendship is how he acquired this Ty Cobb card. Or perhaps, he acquired it as a teenager in 1910 on one of his family's visits to Atlanta.
Furthermore, Russell was close friends with FB HOFer Halfback (& QB) Charley Trippi. Charley lives in Athens, GA and is 91 years old.
Russell's collection is unique in many respects....it is the only reported T-set with the Doyle error card & Ty Cobb back card....it includes 660 - PIEDMONT cards
which make up a near complete T206 "Master" set....and approx. 200 - T210 cards, of which 67 are Series #8 (but, no Joe Jackson card). Imagine if he had the
T210 Joe Jax card, he would have hit the "trifecta".
Russell's basic T206 set comprises of 502 different cards.......
SERIES......Subjects........Missing PIEDMONT cards
150-only..........11..............Honus Wagner & Magie
150/350.........141..............Plank, McQuillan
350-only........199...............Davy Jones, Marquard (portrait), Moriarty, Pfeister (seated), Smith (Buffalo), Summers, White (Buffalo)
350/460...........62...............Berger**, Lajoie (bat), Manning (pitching), Joe Doyle (corrected)
460-only..........43...............Abbaticchio (blue slvs), Ball (Clev.), Chance (bat)
So. Lgrs...........46................Kiernan, Stark
Note** ...... Berger exists with an OLD MILL back.
More info regarding the PIEDMONT master set, OLD MILL T210's & T206's will follow. Comments regarding this collection are welcome.
TED Z