T206 American Beauty backs, and trim

[canjond]

The size of AB cards may be as simple as sheet configuration. Although the long standing rumor was the packs are narrower, resulting in a small width tot he cards, that is completely not the case. I have AB packs from 1905, 1908 and 1910. All are the exact same size, and all match the same dimensions as other T206 packs (ala Old Mill, SC, Piedmont, Sovereign, etc).

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by canjond

The size of AB cards may be as simple as sheet configuration. Although the long standing rumor was the packs are narrower, resulting in a small width tot he cards, that is completely not the case. I have AB packs from 1905, 1908 and 1910. All are the exact same size, and all match the same dimensions as other T206 packs (ala Old Mill, SC, Piedmont, Sovereign, etc).

Thanks, and apologies for keeping the rumor alive!

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by canjond

The size of AB cards may be as simple as sheet configuration.

Hi Jon - Based on the distribution and printing information I don't believe the sheet configuration for American Beauties were any different than other backs. Sheets were printed first with the front images and then had the backs added later. In the case of at least two, and possibly all three, of the AB backs, they were applied to a standard sheet that another back was as well, Broad Leaf, Cycle and Drum for example.

American Beauties were cut from a standard sheet and received at least one if not two more cuts to vertically thin the cards.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by canjond

The size of AB cards may be as simple as sheet configuration. Although the long standing rumor was the packs are narrower, resulting in a small width tot he cards, that is completely not the case. I have AB packs from 1905, 1908 and 1910. All are the exact same size, and all match the same dimensions as other T206 packs (ala Old Mill, SC, Piedmont, Sovereign, etc).

Jon

Is it possible that ATC was planning (circa 1910-1911) to market the American Beauty brand with a slimmer cigarette, which would have resulted in a narrower
(10-cigarette) pack ?

Therefore, American Lithographic, in anticipation of this, trimmed down all their American Beauty cards.







A full 10-pack of 100-year old cigarettes....and gee, am I tempted to light up one of these American Beauty's


TED Z

[canjond]

Ted- I guess anything is possible, but given the expense that would most likely have been involved in changing pack size, it's probably unlikely. Maybe ABs weren't printed by the ALC and whatever printer printed them, cut them a bit thinner?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by canjond

Ted- I guess anything is possible, but given the expense that would most likely have been involved in changing pack size, it's probably unlikely. Maybe ABs weren't printed by the ALC and whatever printer printed them, cut them a bit thinner?

The added expense factor you noted is a good point. If ATC had any plans to market a slimmer AB pack; but, decided against it. The first AB cards (with frame)
were issued in the Summer of 1910. Two subsequent series of AB's (no frame) followed....of which the AB 460's were available at the tail-end of the T206 press
runs in the Spring of 1911.

Given the close affiliation ALC had with ATC, the American Beauty brand was part of the ATC monopoly during this T206 era; therefore, it is certain that American
Lithographic (ALC) produced the AB cards. Furthermore, the fronts of the AB cards are identical to the other T206 brands. ALC pre-printed sheets of T206 fronts;
and, then printed the various T-brand backs as requests from the various tobacco Factory's were received at ALC.


TED Z