INSIGHTS..Senator Russell's T206 & T210 coll. (incl. DOYLE error & Ty Cobb back)

[tedzan]

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

[wolf441]

As always Ted, incredible research and a great read! Thanks for the information, Steve

[ullmandds]

Good stuff...no pic of Honus?

[sreader3]

Hi Ted,
Nice to have these details on the Russell collection documented. Thanks.
Scot

[freakhappy]

Great stuff, Ted! Thanks for sharing and always a pleasure to read

Peter...I think Russell was missing the Wagner

[Leon]

Nice write up Ted. Thanks for sharing. He was smoking at the ripe old age of 13. Wow, that is quite young.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by tedzan

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.

OK guys....these six T206's may not seem "sexy" to most of you; however, they are rarely found with the PIEDMONT 350 back. They seldom show up on ebay or at BB
card shows. Mostly, they are found with PIEDMONT 150 backs....also SWEET CAPORAL 150, or SOVEREIGN 150 backs, and to a lesser extent with brown HINDU backs.

So, as I have said, when I saw them listed on ebay 7 years ago, I did not hesitate to get them. I'm not certain why Russell was fortunate enough to find the Joe Doyle
error card (PIEDMONT 350), or these rare T206's with the PIEDMONT 350 backs....and, if there is a possible connection beween them. So, I am left to speculate.
Anyhow, from reading his Biography, it's my impression that the majority of Russell's T206's were acquired during 1910 when the 350 Series (the 350/460 & 460 Series)
cards were issued.


From Senator Russell's original collection

..



Furthermore, there are 2 more T206's in this group....Schulte (front view) and Mullin (throwing). Which..including the above 6..I have referred to as the "Elite Eight".

.................................................. ...............




Finally, let's not forget the elusive Carl Lundgren that is normally found with the PIEDMONT 150 back; and, seldom found with the PIEDMONT 350 or the EPDG backs.


.



Hey guys....who says PIEDMONT 350 backs backs aren't "sexy" ?

Recently, a collector acquired the Schulte card with a PIEDMONT 350 back for big $$$$$ !



The following lists possible explanations for why 7 of these nine 150/350 Series subjects were short-printed with the PIEDMONT 350 back.

Dahlen........Signed with Brooklyn (Oct 27, 1909), became their Manager in 1910

Ewing.........traded from Cinc. to Phila (NL), Jan 1910

Ganley........traded from Wash. to Phila (A's), May 1909

T Jones.......traded from St Louis (AL) to Detroit, Aug 1909

Karger.........traded to Boston (AL), July 1909

Lindaman......career ends July 1909

Lundgren......reassigned to Minor League in 1909


Any inputs regarding these 9 cards with their rare PIEDMONT 350 backs are appreciated.


TED Z

[atx840]

Thanks for sharing the scans Ted.

I was going to try a Ewing back run, the EPDG shows up from time to time...the 350 not so much.

[ethicsprof]

great research!!!
many thanks for the efforts and sharing.
all the best,
barry

[steve B]

Not a 350, but a nice handcut Ewing. Normal otherwise as far as I can tell.

Steve B

[tedzan]

Judging from Russell's OLD MILL collection, it seems that American Litho. printed and issued T206 OM & T210 OM cards
approx. the same timeframe in 1910.

T206 OLD MILL

Major & Minor Leaguers = 34 subjects

Southern Leaguers = 22 subjects


T210 OLD MILL

Series 1..... 70 subjects
Series 2..... 12 subjects
Series 3..... 12 subjects
Series 4...... 2 subjects
Series 5..... 17 subjects
Series 6...... 2 subjects
Series 7...... 4 subjects
Series 8..... 67 subjects

Total....... 186 subjects


I find it quite interesting that Russell accumulated 60% of the Series 8 sub-set, but wasn't lucky to get a Joe Jackson.


TED Z

[Jason]

Interesting T210 breakdown.I thought living in Georgia the packs would contain Series 1 and 8.I always thought that maybe T210's were distributed by the area you lived in,like Series 2 for Virginia.He had a few cards from all Series does that suggest one could basically pull any Series from a pack all over the country where Old Mill Cigarettes were sold?

[DixieBaseball]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Judging from Russell's OLD MILL collection, it seems that American Litho. printed and issued T206 OM & T210 OM cards
approx. the same timeframe in 1910.

T206 OLD MILL

Major & Minor Leaguers = 34 subjects

Southern Leaguers = 22 subjects


T210 OLD MILL

Series 1..... 70 subjects
Series 2..... 12 subjects
Series 3..... 12 subjects
Series 4...... 2 subjects
Series 5..... 17 subjects
Series 6...... 2 subjects
Series 7...... 4 subjects
Series 8..... 67 subjects

Total....... 186 subjects


I find it quite interesting that Russell accumulated 60% of the Series 8 sub-set, but wasn't lucky to get a Joe Jackson.


TED Z

Hi Ted - Perhaps the reason Russell didn't score a Jackson was b/c he acquired most/all of his T210-8's during the early months in 1910 !? (I think the Jackson was distributed later in 1910 in a 2nd release) - Can you direct me where I can see the 67 player's names that he owned in the T210-8 series ?
Hope all is well, Jeremy

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by tedzan

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.

Senator Russell was a life-long bachelor rumored to have been engaged once in his late twenties, but never spoke of it.

[Jason]

Great information in this thread.Also some nice cards.I had never seen the T210 Fritz.I like that pose as well.Pretty cool.

[tedzan]

Richard Russell, Jr. was quite a ladies man; and, nearly married Patricia Collins in 1938. Their religious differences ultimately prevented them from marrying.

In 2006, when I contacted the Atlanta Antiques dealer (by phone), we had a lengthy conversation regarding the provenance of the T206's & T210's that
he was selling on ebay. He told me that a local lady in her 50's consigned 200+ cards for him to sell. As the discussion continued he said that she was the
Great-Granddaughter of Richard Russell. She had found these cards in the drawer of a desk which had been a family heirloom for several generations.

Fast-forward to 2008, I acquired Richard Russell, Jr.'s biography and in reading thru it, I realized that he was never married. In reflecting back to my con-
versation with the Antiques dealer, I concluded that he must of meant that the lady that consigned these cards to him was Richard Russell, Sr.'s Great-
Granddaughter. And, if you do the math, her age would better fit that scenario.

In any event, the Antiques dealer was very knowledgeable of the Russell family, he was very sincere, and certainly willing to share with me any information
regarding Russell's collection. I have no doubt that his story was true.

Incidently, the "Elite Eight" subjects in Russell's T206 collection have both the PIEDMONT 150 & 350 backs (with the exception of Dahlen & Schulte....both
missing the P 350).

However, included in the 87 cards, that I acquired from this dealer, is a PIEDMONT 350 Dahlen.


TED Z

[DixieBaseball]

Meant to post this pic of the 1909 Chattanooga Lookouts from the South Atlantic League. On this PC is Alcock & Meek which are the 2 players that were on the T206 SL Proofs. These guys switched leagues to Southern Association in 1910, and were left out of the T211 eary 1910 release of Series 1 75 subjects. I believe the same 75 T210-8's were released early in 1910 as well, and then sometime later the remaining 39 were released which included 10 Chattanooga players among a sampling from other teams including the 2 NO players, Jackson and Maxwell.

[DixieBaseball]

Ted - Here are a few more large border 8's and their T206 counterpart.
Frank - per your earlier post about the larger border T206-T210-8's, and possible correlation, I don't think we know the how's and why's yet, but 10 of 11 of the identical T206/T210 poses only come with the larger borders. Who knows the reason, but perhaps these were some of the earliest poses to be produced and they were cut with wide borders and then very early on in the series 8 production of the first series (75), they went more narrow with the remaining group of T210-8's. Since the T210's used the T206 poses, it would seem plausible they were the first test subjects, so perhaps the way they cut the card from sheets very early on changed. The Foster card is the lone example of T206 identical poses to have regular borders, so perhaps that card was produced in line with the other regular border T210-8's after they changed the the larger border cards in production. One thing we know for sure is the same players are cut the same way over and over, which is very interesting. This does not change the idea about there being a first series of 75 released early in 1910, then the remaining 39 released a bit later... (Chattanooga / Little Rock is the key - Little Rock was left out of the early release of 1910 T211's, and while Little Rock is absent from the T210-8's, and the only Southern Association team not represented, along comes Chattanooga which appears in the T210-8 set all cut with regular borders, and in far less quantity suggesting they were not released at the same time as the core 75 cards. Keep in mind all large border T210-8's are in that first 75, then the 39 regular border cards follow in less quantity - I think they were simply added along the way, quite possibly due to Chattanooga being the 8th team to join the Southern Association as Little Rock was on the way out and the Lookouts coming into the league. Perhaps a month or two after the early 1910 release of the original 75 cards. The large border cards suggest they were produced at the same time (early release) since you don't see a Hub Perdue for example with large and regular borders. A final point is just the fact I can draw a clear line in availability of the first 75 T210-8's and the final 39 T210-8's. I rarely see the 39, but with a little patience run across the 75... There could be various reasons for this, but since these were distributed regionally, and the timing of Chattanooga joining the league speaks to more T210-8's being released at a different time... perhaps a later date in 1910.

[atx840]

Very informative, thank you for sharing.

[DixieBaseball]

Ted - Drilling down a bit further... Sen Russell's list only contained 1 Chattanooga player and there were 10 total released in the T210-8 series. So of the 63 T210's he owned (Over half the set), he only owned 14% of the 2nd release cards (39). Of his 9 2nd release cards he owned, the Patterson-Chattanooga card was it. To own such a large group, and only have 1 Lookout card is telling as well as 86% of his T210-8's were from the 1st 75 subjects (T211 Series 1 - 75 subjects)

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by NashvilleBaseball

Ted - Drilling down a bit further... Sen Russell's list only contained 1 Chattanooga player and there were 10 total released in the T210-8 series. So of the 63 T210's he owned (Over half the set), he only owned 14% of the 2nd release cards (39). Of his 9 2nd release cards he owned, the Patterson-Chattanooga card was it. To own such a large group, and only have 1 Lookout card is telling as well as 86% of his T210-8's were from the 1st 75 subjects (T211 Series 1 - 75 subjects)

Jeremy

Fantastic research on the OM Series 8 cards. Your premise that the 2nd series of cards in Series 8 included Joe Jax; and, that it was short-printed sounds logical to me.

Incidently, I sent you a corrected list of Russell's Series 8 cards....there are 67 in his collection. No additional Chattanooga players.


TED Z