T206 Sweet Cap/Hindu/Old Mill Factory 649

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Posted By: Craig W

Here's what Scot Reader says about the factories in his "Inside T206". It really doesn't answer your questions, so hopefully others can provide more info.

Regards,
Craig


D. Factories
The backs of most T206 cards identify the factory where they were produced. T206
cards were sourced from either six or seven ATC factories, depending on whether one
counts the mysterious “Factory 33” where the Ty Cobb back originated. These seven
factories were identified by number and operated in four different states. They are:
Factory 6 in Ohio, Factory 17 in Virginia, Factory 25 in Virginia, Factory 30 in New
York, Factory 33 in North Carolina, Factory 42 in North Carolina and Factory 649 in
New York.

Most American Beauties and Piedmonts were made at Factory 25, with a relatively
small number later made at Factory 42. Broad Leafs, Carolina Brights, Cycles and
Drums and Sovereigns were produced only at Factory 25. El Principe de Gales cards
originated only from Factory 17. Hindus were made exclusively at Factory 649, while
Lenoxes were made only at Factory 30. Most Old Mills came from Factory 25, with a
scant few possibly emanating from Factory 649. All Polar Bears were manufactured at
Factory 6. Sweet Caporals were initially made at Factories 25, 30 and 649, with
Factory 42 being added later. Tolstois and Uzits originated solely from Factory 30.As mentioned, the handful of known examples with the Ty Cobb back—if they are
T206 cards at all—identify Factory 33 as their place of origin.

Table 1: T206 Brand/Factory Combinations
Factory No. State Brands
6 OH Polar Bear
17 VA El Principe de Gales
25 VA American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Carolina Brights, Cycle,
Drum, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal
30 NY Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi, Uzit
33 NC Ty Cobb
42 NC American Beauty, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal
649 NY Hindu, Old Mill, Sweet Caporal

In some cases, the production site for T206 cards correlates with local cigarette brand
preferences of the day. For example, Piedmont cigarettes were popular in the
southeastern United States, which may explain why the vast majority of Piedmontbranded
T206 cards were produced in Virginia. Sweet Caporal cigarettes were
favored in the Northeast, providing an economic rationale for producing most of those cards in New York.