Obak question-stamps on back

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Posted By: Alan U

I apologize if this question has been answered recently.

Is there a reason than many of the Obak's have numbers stamped on the back of them. There doesn't seem to be such a trend with most of the other tobacco cards.

Here's a scan of what I'm referring to.



-Alan

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Posted By: leon

Back in the day those stamps designated the factory the cigarettes came from. Only recently have they been rightfully accepted as part of the mfg process and not viewed as a stray mark....There are several tobacco series that you will see these on...T209 being another one.....though they are a little different...regards

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Posted By: Steve Murray

Because the 1911 Obaks already have a factory number printed on the card I've never thought the stamps to be that though it is possible.

Other explanations may be that they are quality control numbers akin to what we see today "Inspected by No. 30". Or they are batch numbers or printing run numbers.

Importantly the grading companies (at least SGC) have recognized that the numbers originated at the factory and no longer downgrade them due to the stamp.

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Posted By: Alan U

Thanks guys, that's interesting. I picked up a couple at a show last weekend and 2 had stamps with the same number in about the same place on the card and the other 2 were stamp free.

-Alan

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Posted By: Patrick McMenemy

I'm curious as to what numbers others have seen on the backs of the 1911 Obaks. Anyone seen a number over 31? That would rule out date of production.

I have three in my collection...Burns Tacoma 28 (blue ink) ...Berry San Francisco 31 (black ink)...and Tiedeman No. 27 (blue ink). All three (3) look to be different size type as well.

Here's the scans:





Patrick

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Posted By: Steve Murray

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Posted By: scott brockelman

I have stamps of 22,24,28,33,34,37,38,40,41,42,54,56,67 & 136. and many others too blurred to make out. most are in purple ink, a few are blue.

Scott

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Posted By: Patrick McMenemy

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. That rules out production dates and probably inspector numbers as well. More likely production runs. Both PCL and NWL cards carry the stamps.

Patrick

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Posted By: Bob

What's really irritating is that until a few years ago SGC was downgrading otherwise nice looking Obaks because of the numbers on the back, downgrading them the same as if someone had taken a pen and scribbled a number on the back. After I had my 1910 set slabbed by SGC I find out that beginning a year or so ago they now don't downgrade for that number. A real bitch because I am not going to spend the money to have them regraded. Oh well, I'll just remember "buy the cards not the holders" and admire some of the prettiest 30s, 40s and 50s graded Obaks in existence.

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Posted By: Brian

Bob, I think you'd have a good argument for SGC to reslab them for free -- the policy change didn't happen on a specific day but bled in over the course of several months.

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Posted By: Keith

How about this backstamp on a T206. It is on an Alperman card. Do you think this is a factory stamp of some sort or that of a collector?
The Alperman and Killian to the left of it also have a stamp in 0 of 150

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Posted By: leon

I doubt it.....The American Tobacco Company had factory numbers on T206 so there was no need to stamp them on the cards....I am not saying it could have never happened but there was no need....regards