Polar Bear Tobacco

[Ribbens]

I was able to inspect this Polar Tobacco "pack" tonight in the Boston area and sorry to say the " red overprint" was not able to be viewed with any degree of certainty as to the exact date. I took a pass on this item. Thanks for all your help with this item it was "a good run" as they say.......

[canjond]

Here's a scan of a PB pack to illustrate the overprint. Despite th 1910 tax stamp, this one is dated 1931.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Ribbens

I was able to inspect this Polar Tobacco "pack" tonight in the Boston area and sorry to say the " red overprint" was not able to be viewed with any degree of certainty as to the exact date. I took a pass on this item. Thanks for all your help with this item it was "a good run" as they say.......

And it was a good learning experience on packs and overprints. ...Generally speaking a pack can't be specifically dated without an overprint on the stamp. Sellers seem to always pick the dates of packs without stamps as dates the cards came in them, for some reason.

[1880nonsports]

the link to the eBay pack shows a "sample" pack. I suppose if I were giving away samples of my product and it was within the insert time frame - putting a card in the package might not be a bad strategy. While I have never heard of this being the case - I've never actually been able to verify a story of ANY PB card being pulled from a package - although logically the sale pack was their point of origin. Not surprisingly I can no longer remember if there's actually an advertisement in print linking the cards to any particular package as these T brands are a bit too recent for my current focus and I only have room to remember one or two things at a time . Perhaps someone could share such an ad if it exists? If it's out there dollars to doughnuts someone here has a copy!

My original intent before I sidetracked myself was curiosity about the asking price?

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

the link to the eBay pack shows a "sample" pack. I suppose if I were giving away samples of my product and it was within the insert time frame - putting a card in the package might not be a bad strategy. While I have never heard of this being the case - I've never actually been able to verify a story of ANY PB card being pulled from a package - although logically the sale pack was their point of origin. Not surprisingly I can no longer remember if there's actually an advertisement in print linking the cards to any particular package as these T brands are a bit too recent for my current focus and I only have room to remember one or two things at a time . Perhaps someone could share such an ad if it exists? If it's out there dollars to doughnuts someone here has a copy!

My original intent before I sidetracked myself was curiosity about the asking price?

Henry. The closest I can get to your request of a card era advertisement which showed a PB pack would be this large tin. I purchased this from another board member long ago.

He told me that when he uncovered it originally, T206 cards were actually found inside of it that were tucked in between the top lid and a sifting screen.

[1880nonsports]

even nicer than the one I got in the mid 1990's from a dedicated TOBACCO "stuff" only auction that Mr. Mint ran containing some guy's pack/tin/advertising accumulation (Dennis Goldstein or something like that?).
What I meant was possibly something like the Hindu or Piedmont newspaper advertisements where the cards are shown along with the pack or a sales announcement. Something like that........

[3-2-count]

Not seen any paper advertisements w/ cards as you mention Henry, but the search will continue.

[Leon]

Always enjoy seeing that one. Very majestic.

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

Henry. The closest I can get to your request of a card era advertisement which showed a PB pack would be this large tin. I purchased this from another board member long ago.

He told me that when he uncovered it originally, T206 cards were actually found inside of it that were tucked in between the top lid and a sifting screen.

[1880nonsports]

that's been relisted couple times. Very nice condition and not that much overpriced considering. Few Polar bins if any in better shape. Likely when I move in a few months I'll be selling mine or my indian bin. Really can only justify keeping one and the graphics are better on my sure shot bin. What a dilemma.

No affiliation with seller or item.

[the 'stache]

Oh my God, Tony, that advertisement tin is drool-worthy!

I'm really enjoying this discussion, guys.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Oh my God, Tony, that advertisement tin is drool-worthy!

I'm really enjoying this discussion, guys.

Thanks Bill. There are actually two different PB tins that can be found. One top lid reads, (Polar Bear Scrap Tobacco) while the other reads (Polar Bear Tobacco). I'm grateful to have found them both.



One could have played poker back in the day with these as well.

[Ribbens]

More information from the seller 419zanzibar69 on his 1909 Polar Bear Tobacco Pouch, interesting exchange related to Polar "pack"

POLAR BEAR Tobacco Packet 1909 UNOPENED 1oz SAMPLE POUCH T206 T205 baseball pack #361460879103 advertised on Ebay.
From:419zanzibar69

.....quote....But one thing I must point out about this pack is it's pre-Lorillard and pre-ATC deregulation of 1911.
I am sorry for not going into greater detail. In 1911, the ATC (American Tobacco Co) was broken up. Shares of the ATC were divided between several brands. Lorillard was one of those brands. So was Philip Morris, Liggett & Myers and RJ Reynolds.

And of course, stamps and legalities could possibly give a potential estimate. I always sold them for the correct T206-T205 era, and nothing more. I hope some of that makes sense. I love this hobby.

Red stamp or not, there is only one true way to find out for sure. Right? I could never, nor anyone else no matter how big of an expert they claim to be, can say for sure what is inside beside 105+ year old tobacco or cigarettes. Unfortunately, as a cigarette and tobacco expert, there is no way for sure to tell. Here are some indications, like whether a pack found from the same carton or case contained premiums. And good chances are anyone who guarantees anything inside really has no idea.