Coupon Type 1: Paper Theory

[FrankWakefield]

I think you misunderstand the origins of Coupon Cigarettes. Duke's Trust was the end result of capitalism gone wild. We all think we support capitalism. Left to its own, the end result would be a monopoly. Without a bit of regulation the big 3 auto companies of my youth would have banged it out until one survived, then that survivor would have a monopoly. Duke started taking over other cigarette producers. Coupon Cigarettes happened to be the name of the company down Louisiana way (can't you hear Corky Laing banging away) that Duke took over. Those ATC brands with which we're all familiar (eg Piedmont, Cycle, "Sweet Caporal", "American Beauty"... ) these were regional brands. These brands were where they were, and had a market, before they were acquired by the ATC. Duke's outfit didn't decide in 1909 to make a lesser quality cigarette, call it Coupon, and sell it down south...

And while similar to T206 cards in design, I'm satisfied and content with Mr. Burdick's separation of the Coupon cards from T206. (not from "other" T206)