T206 American Beauty Printing Process

[tedzan]

Ron

Here is a circa 1910 AMERICAN BEAUTY (10-cigarette) pack; and, it is the same size as any PIEDMONT, SOVEREIGN, etc. packs.




TED Z

[Ronnie73]

Hi Ted, thats interesting. Is it possible that cigarette packs were smaller in 1909 and they increased the pack size in 1910 and 1911 but never told the printers of the change? If not, then why the narrower cards. I guess we still don't know for sure if the cards were cut by the printers or the packers. Most likely the printers or there would probably be many uncut sheets.

[tedzan]

The first printing of the T206 American Beauty 350 (Frame) cards was during the Summer of 1910.

Also, my understanding of American Beauty cigarette packs is that they contained 10 cigarettes and were the standard size pack from 1901-12.

It remains a mystery why AB cards were cut narrower. Furthermore, many AB 460 T206's are found even more narrower than the AB 350 cards.
I have approx. 60 - AB 460 cards, and most of them are quite narrow.


TED Z

[Ronnie73]

Originally Posted by tedzan

The first printing of the T206 American Beauty 350 (Frame) cards was during the Summer of 1910.

Also, my understanding of American Beauty cigarette packs is that they contained 10 cigarettes and were the standard size pack from 1901-12.

It remains a mystery why AB cards were cut narrower. Furthermore, many AB 460 T206's are found even more narrower than the AB 350 cards.
I have approx. 60 - AB 460 cards, and most of them are quite narrow.


TED Z

Your American Beauty 460 subset is gonna be incredible when its completed. Any ideas on your next project? Maybe the rest of the AB series?

[Bridwell]

This thinner American Beauty pack has 15 cigs and a 1910 tax stamp.

[Ronnie73]

Does anyone have a picture of an American Beauty T206 ad? Maybe the cards were only put in the soft packs that were narrower with the 15. Maybe it was buy 10 and get no card or buy 15 and get a card insert. Just a thought.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Ronnie73

Does anyone have a picture of an American Beauty T206 ad? Maybe the cards were only put in the soft packs that were narrower with the 15. Maybe it was buy 10 and get no card or buy 15 and get a card insert. Just a thought.

Ronnie, we have examples of 'normal' width AB's, so it's probable that the thinner ones were cut thin to fit in the 15-cig packs and the wider ones let alone, to fit in the wide packs.