[Archive]

Posted By: Jon Canfield

Ted,

With regard to asking for opinions on the backs, although all four are near matches, I do feel that the AB back is slightly different which makes me wonder is the AB were released before the other 3 - possibly summer of 1910 with Drum, Cycle and Broadleaf coming later.

Specifically, when you look at the 3: Drum, Cycle and Broadleaf - they are perfect matches. You could literally paste one over the top and everything lines up. While AB is very close, there are differences between the AB backs and the other 3:

1.) 350 Subjects appears on 1 line, not 2 lines
2.) the "g" in Cigarettes is slightly less stylized
3.) the "a's" in "American Beauty" do not match the "a" in "Broad Leaf"
4.) The "r" in "American" does not match the "r's" in "Broad" or "Drum"

Thoughts?

- Jon