Packaging and such

[Archive]

Posted By: mr. moses

I think WOW would say it all...... Contentnea super as well. Take a close look at the first two as unlikely you will ever see another let alone own one. I would guess under 10 out there and probably half that or fewer. American Beauty from upstate New York? If so no cards but closest I've seen to the pack that would have cards. Broadleaf and Carolina are tough but out there. Sold my TTT never seen or heard of another. Gypsy Queen certainly rarer than T206 Wagner with probably under 20 in any condition including those in cigarette pack collectors collections (mostly out of country collectors that like to flatten packs and wrappers for display). Think about it. Most tough to find cards are that way because the brands were either of limited distribution or small company regional brands that were short lived. Makes sense then that the packs would be even scarcer. Perhaps Ramly had interesting visual appeal or maybe because they were issued in northeast area where things are kept in attics and trunks for a long time might account for slightly higher populations than one might expect but they are still tough and you probably have to content with a certain savy collector that wants them all . Certainly 25 or less sounds about right. Lenox? Tough. Drum? I've NEVER seen one. There are sacks out there but never a package and for sure the cards weren't found in the cloth sacks. Yum Yum? I know of a TIN with a strip at the bottom saying there was a baseball card or cards included. Allen and Ginter had lots of brands. I would make note of the Richmond Straight slide box as it's scarce in it's own right and especially when taking note of how many N28/N29 collectors might and should want an example. For some reason the clam shell box that held the large Ginters is quite common (always seems to be well after the 1887-1889 period) so one with a stamp and CORRECT date has eluded me and I look all the time. Not sure why there aren't more other than the original price(?) but that doesn't make too much sense either. Food for thought.****WARNING NOTE***** There is one clam shell pack out in the market that purports to be sealed and carries a correct stamp. I have heard it has been altered. Buyer beware. Old Judge- they're out there. Lone Jack interesting pack and I only know of a few. Dog's Head tough but more in the market than I would have thought given the scarcity of the cabinet and other advertising issues. I rarely see any Kimball or Kinney packs although I have examples of each. Mino? I think I remember seeing a picture of a single example in Lew Lipset's book (if it was Mono then I take it back and say I've never seen one-looking it up now would be too much work-you can do that). Helmar, Hassan, Murad, Turkish Trophy are all nice but would have to be seen as plentiful (TT less so). Obak, Sweet Caporal, Piedmont, Old Mill, Cycle-small pack, Sovereign are out there. Duke Honest Long Cut probably came in one of those larger paper packages. I've owned at least three variations. Could never confirm the date on them as the stamp lay under the wrapper or was covered. I've seen a few Tolstoi(sp?) but haven't owned nor examined one in person. The type card people probably could shed more light on these. Mayo? I never had enough time to try and figure it out. I think the football cards at least have always been accepted as coming from the round corner tin. The other cards that came in tins other than the Mayo and Yum Yum are the Fatima team and player cards. There are plenty of these rectangular tins in the antique market so look for the proper CANCEL on the proper tax stamp. Ty Cobb back T206? Get you hot? Musta come in the Ty Cobb tin. You might have to sell your card collection to get the tin.
I noticed someone with a Home Run pack. Love the graphics. Your example is POST 1956 as it's a vanity tax stamp. Brand was around since prior to 1905 (I sold a copyrighted sign with that date and I've seen an even earlier reference somewhere). They are still making them I think. They never had cards.
Question was asked about the Recruit. The yellow ones are 1940's-1950's. The card period ones are cream colored and I believe that besides the slide-and-shell there was another outer shell. Too long ago for me to remember but the S&S packs are fairly easy to come by. To answer the question I would think that 75.00 - 100.00 wouldn't be out of line for a clean pack with stamp and cigarettes and 25.00 or so for just a complete pack. EPDG are out there with a population I approximate at over 100. Mr. Canfield probably has his own thoughts about all this musing and perhaps he will share some thoughts as well. It might help him sell more copies of his book .
I know I've missed some brands but I'm doing this all from memory. If I can help in some way just LMK. If you have a rare pack I'd love to see a picture or buy it..... If you have more to add I'd love to hear it. Nothing I've said is any more than my opinion and I haven't made an in depth study of this stuff nor do I actively hunt it alone, as I collect many things and can't devote too much time to it. As usual with this kinda stuff-more questions than answers.......
Happy Hunting

(edited to clean some insignificant things. There's much more I could put in this thread and other brands I just remembered at this moment but I'm a bit tired.)