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runscottI found about 25 empty Sweet Caporal boxes with 1909 tax stamps - turns out my g-g-grandfather worked at the American Tobacco Company and packed cards in cigarette packs back in the early 1900's, but there were none in these boxes. We also found his diary which had the following entries:
"...July 9,1909...boss told me today to stop packing Wagners in Sweet Cap packs. Asked him what to do with the 400 cards Bill had given me to pack and he said 'throw em away' unless I personally could come up with $8,000 to pay Hans. Couldn't see wasting all those cards so I hid them in Sweet Caporal boxes and snuck em out. Just like I did with those Joe Jackson cards."
"...December 24,1909...It was cold as hell tonight and I cuoldn't get the damned fire going - no tinder and it's raining outside. Couldn't see freezin to death on Christmas eve, then I got an idea. Sure glad I saved those Honus Wagner cards - they fire up really well. Everyone will sure think I'm smart...some of 'em didn't burn all the way so I gave them to my idiot cousin from Kentucky"