Large Tobacco Premium

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

I know this isn't baseball, but a couple here on the board are into the non sports tobacco cards somewhat and thought I'd share this.

I believe it to be from the 1880s period (can't read the postmark on the envelope) and measures 10 inches across and 17 inches high with a gold gilt edge. The bottom front can't be seen, but it has the typical dark band with "Manufactured only by W Duke, Sons & Co. Durham NC USA". The back gives a little history of tobacco, and at the bottom states "To those who do not smoke cigarettes and would like to obtain these photo artotypes, we will send by mail, postage paid, any one selected upon receipt of 50 cents, or will send the series of six upon receipt of $2.50. I have been unable to find any reference to Duke "Artotypes" in the ACC and have never seen a premium of this type before.

The logo by the maker at the top on the back is Giles Lithographic Company, 224 and 226 Centre St New York, patent applied for.

Couldn't get the whole thing uploaded due to storage limits. Also couldn't figure out how to delete this one so I could upload 2 smaller pictures, but if anyone is interested in seeing the whole thing or the back, feel free to email me and I will send it to them.

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Posted By: Jay Miller

Keith---Even if you can't read the postmark get a stamp catalog and date the stamps. Stamps were issued pretty often back then and that should roughly tell you when the cabinet was mailed.

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Posted By: warshawlaw

Bob Forbes forbesrs@aol.com
Terry Mitchell trm@u.washington.edu

They wrote a book on nonsports tobacco cards. I have no idea whether the addresses are still good. Good luck.

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

Thanks you two for the help. Emailed Bob and Terry last night. I have several of Duke's large counter cards with the biggest one being around 14 inches high. At first I suspected (before having it to examine) this was such a piece, but after reading the offer on the back, well now I'm not so sure. This thing was in a period frame BTW (not factory) and is in almost perfect condition. The scan here doesn't do it any justis as the colors are absolutely vibrant. Also, this is not a cabinet card in the sense that the picture is not glued to a mount. Thanks again, Keith

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

Jay, took your advice. Seems the stamps were issued between 1883 - 1888 according to a stamp book a fellow coworker has brought into work today. This peice of the puzzle fits perfectly in with the copyright date of 1884 on the front of the premium. Thanks again, Keith

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Posted By: runscott

Those stamps might have sat around in a desk drawer for several years.

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

I'm guessing since this was mailed by Duke, stamps were used up fairly readily. That copyright date was hard to see and I didn't even see it until after my post. I was concentrating on the back for it. , Keith