Worch Cigar project

[timn1]

I've decided to undertake research on this obscure and intriguing set from the 1930s. Hopefully I'll discover enough to produce a decent article for Old Cardboard, assuming Lyman is interested. I've already figured out some stuff about the dating -- clearly they were not all issued in 1933 as often assumed.

I've now looked at most of the previous posts that mention Worches so I know some of you (Jeff, Todd, Greg, this means U) have a decent number of them. Many others have only one or a few, but any and all info is still helpful, so please check in with whatever you have.

My first goal is to verify the existence (and get scans) of as many as possible cards from the checklist. So I would be really grateful if anyone and everyone could tell me which players you own (Majors and A.A.). Scans are always welcome, but that step can be left until later if you don't already have them scanned.

Any other info you have about the set I would love to hear about as well.

Thanks in advance!

Tim

Here are a few of my faves:

worch 1.jpg

[MikeGarcia]

....Getting the Stratton slabbed was a struggle , but evidently there is indeed some competence ( eventually ) down in the basement at PSA ; but you need to threaten to fly Lemke to California . Worked for me.

[MikeGarcia]

....it's going to rain so I'll go dig up some more ....

[HRBAKER]

[smtjoy]

Cool cards, my lone example-

[Leon]

From my understanding I think Mack will be a very scarce one...

[nolemmings]

Sorry Tim, If you've read all the posts here, then you know what I know. I spilled pretty much everything I know (which wasn't much), and I only occasionally chase the Millers and Saints cards nowadays. Here are a couple of the old threads.
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ighlight=worch
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ighlight=worch
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ighlight=worch

All I would add now is that I have seen about a dozen mailing envelopes that contained the pictures, and each one I have seen was mailed to a Minnesota resident save one that went to North Dakota (I don't have scans unfortunately). It would make sense that the company would advertise most heavily locally in Minnesota. I also own and have seen 3-4 examples of letterhead from Worch to at least one distributor in Ohio, but the message made no reference to the pictures. I have seen no letterhead or other advertising to suggest that the pictures went to tobacco distributors rather than to customers directly. I believe the general thinking is that customers sent in cigar bands in whatever quantities for the pictures, although I have never seen ads or other evidence promoting that method. I was never heavily into the set however, so my experience likely doesn't take you far.

I would also note that several on ebay from I believe John Rumierez are said to to be from 1932, and seller claims that these were previously called Wheaties cards but that a recent large find of them were found in Worch Envelopes. I have not delved into that since learning of it early this year, but OC backs this up. As you know, these are easily distinguished from the Worch's of subsequent years.

As mentioned in my earlier posts, the Worch-like pics were distributed in 1935 on a much more limited basis. All I have seen from this year were Mpls or St Paul players, leading me to wonder if they were either team issued or came from the newspapers whose credits appear on the card fronts (maybe as subscription awards).

Here are the only two big leaguers I have left (shown before)--I have a scan of a Dizzy Dean I sold to a board member, but will let him post it --and a couple of what I believe to be 1935s.
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PM or email me with any questions, and include your m101 scans

[MikeGarcia]

The Minneapolis ( and St. Paul ) newspapers' Sports Departments may have photo archives , and the local historians and memoirs collections may be a great place to spend several years.....

[MikeGarcia]

[timn1]

Hey guys,
these are great! Keep em coming, and as I mentioned, even if you don't have scans, I would like a list of your holdings--

Tim

[Bosox Blair]

My only example:

[aconte]

I was looking at some of the newly listed Worch cards on eBay. Was surprised with the prices. They look very nice but I sure wish they were a little cheaper.


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