T216's are American Caramel "E90 reprints"....my insights & let's hear yours ?

[tedzan]

The People's Tobacco Company issued 3 identical BB card set's during 1912-1916 era. The backs on these cards advertise their
three cigarette brands produced in New Orleans......KOTTON....MINO....VIRGINIA EXTRA.
Each set comprises of 74 different subjects with 30 additional variations (due to trades, position changes, etc.). I have always
found these sets quite interesting, here are two reasons why......

(1) The fronts of these cards are from the printer that produced the American Caramel (E90-1) set in 1908-1910.

(2) Each set includes no less than 4 cards of Honus Wagner....so, what happened to his anti-cigarette campaign ?

I think these mystery's may be explained by the ongoing legal action of the People's Tobacco Company vs. the American Tobacco
Company (ATC) during the years of 1912-1918. Check-out this link......

http://supreme.justia.com/us/246/79/case.html


My theory: This ongoing litigation prevented the People's Tobacco Co. from using American Litho (ALC) to produce the T216 sets.
The close relationship between ATC & ALC was the reason why the majority of the tobacco card sets in the 1909-1919 era were
produced by ALC. Conversely, it is most likely the reason why the T216's were printed elsewhere.

Now, why is Wagner depicted in these cigarette sets ? His stated objections to being associated with cigarettes in 1909 was with
the "big" ATC. I guess then, several years later, that the lesser People's Tobacco Co. was inconsequential to him ? Or perhaps, he
changed his mind, since he was a cigar smoker and chewed tobacco. It's anyone's guess.







This T216 pose of Honus Wagner identifies him as a Shortstop. The same pose, in all the T216 sets, also identifies him as a 2nd
baseman. The other two T216 Wagner cards are his Batting pose (same as E90 card). These cards are captoned with him as a
SS and 2B.

In 1915, Wagner played 131 games at SS, 12 games at 2B, and 10 games at 1B.


Your thoughts on this subject are greatly appreciated. Also, show or tell us of your T216 cards.



TED Z