T206 printing mystery

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Joshua

I am somewhat skeptical of coils of T206 fronts being shipped down South, etc.;
however, Railroads were a growing and thriving industry at the start of the 20th
Century and I must disagree with you there. It cost very little to load boxes of
T206's on to a passenger train already heading South.
Also, let's just focus on T206 printing process (T205's are another story).

My understanding is that T206 cards, just like Allen & Ginters, Goodwin Champs, etc.,
were entirely produced in printing plants in NYC. Then were delivered to the Tobacco
Factories in VA, NC, Ohio, etc. to be inserted as Premiums with their Cigarette packs.

And Joshua, there was advertising of these cards (most notable is the famous HINDU
advertisement which surfaced that depicted two T206 cards with a HINDU pack).

Now, let me tell you of my experience with the 1000's of T206 cardsI have had.
Several times I have noticed that due to wear, or whatever, the front of the card
has started peeling off or separating. I presently have a Marquard that exhibits this.
I would show a scan; but, you really need a 3-D picture to appreciate this effect.

This "peeling effect" implies that the front of the card is actually printed on a very
thin layer of paper. And, is indeed laminated onto a thicker piece of cardboard of
which the back is printed on.

I urge anyone to take a poor condition T206 and carefully, using a razor blade or
whatever tool, and try to separate this thin layer (front) from the thicker layer
cardboard back. And, you will see what I am saying.

Old Judges, Allen & Ginters, Buchner's Goodwin Champions, Kimball's, etc. are all
laminated cards (fronts added to backs). So, why would T206's be produced any
different back then ?

The huge mystery that still remains is.....why have we not found any production
quality uncut sheets (or even small uncut panels) of T206 cards ?
We have multiples of all 10 uncut sheets of the 1933 Goudey set, uncut sheets
of the E93 set, uncut sheets of PlayBalls, uncut sheets of Bowman & Topps cards,
and many more too numerous to mention here.

Well perhaps, maybe the T206 cards were not printed in sheet format as all
these other sets were ?

T-Rex Ted