Category: Uncategorized
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The Making of the T68 “Heroes of History” Cards: Inside the American Lithographic Company’s Mastery
By DB Sikes The Birth of a Printing Giant The American Lithographic Company (ALC) was founded in 1892 in New York City through the merger of several of the nation’s premier lithography firms. Among them were: By combining their resources and talent, these firms created the first true American printing conglomerate, designed to meet the…
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Run the Table: James Watt
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview James Watt (1736–1819), the Scottish inventor and engineer, revolutionized the modern world with his refinements to the steam engine, transforming it into a practical and powerful driver of the Industrial Revolution. His separate condenser design, patented in 1769, dramatically improved efficiency and allowed steam power to spread from mines…
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Run the Table: King George III
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview King George III of England (1738–1820) remains one of the most consequential monarchs in British and American history. Ascending the throne in 1760, his reign witnessed the loss of the American colonies following the Revolutionary War, as well as Britain’s eventual triumph over Napoleon at Waterloo. His firm belief…
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T68 Market Watch – George Washington Edition
By DB Sikes Overall Sales Performance From August 2022 through July 2025, total recorded sales for George Washington cards across all back types have surged. The market saw multiple peaks, with the most dramatic occurring in November 2024, driven by high-grade Royal Bengals examples. Sales have held steady through 2025, bolstered by mid-grade SGC and…
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T68 Jobber Stamp Feature B & L Marshall, Philadelphia
By DB Sikes Jobber (n.): In early 20th-century commerce, a jobber was a wholesale merchant or middleman who purchased large quantities of goods directly from manufacturers and resold them to retailers, smaller distributors, or other businesses. In the tobacco trade, jobbers often added their own identifying marks or stamps to packaging, serving both as branding…
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Run the Table: General “Mad” Anthony Wayne
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview General Anthony Wayne, nicknamed “Mad Anthony” for his bold and aggressive battlefield tactics, earned his place in American Revolutionary War history through decisive leadership and fearless execution. His most famous exploit, the midnight storming of Stony Point on July 16, 1779, showcased both his military brilliance and his personal…
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Run the Table: Ferdinand de Lesseps
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview Ferdinand de Lesseps, the famed French diplomat and engineer, is best known for his leadership in constructing the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most consequential engineering feats. Though later criticized for the failed Panama Canal attempt, de Lesseps remains a towering figure in global infrastructure history. His presence…
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Beyond the Cigar Box: How T68 Imagery Lived on in Bread, Butter, and Milk
By DB Sikes The T68 Heroes of History set (1910–1911), produced by the American Lithographic Company for American Tobacco Company products like Royal Bengals cigars, is celebrated for its bold color and educational content. But the original artwork lived on well after the tobacco promotion ended—surprisingly reused in promotional series for bread, milk, and butter.…
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Run the Table: William Tecumseh Sherman
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview General William Tecumseh Sherman was one of the Union’s most formidable military leaders during the American Civil War, best known for his “March to the Sea,” a devastating campaign that helped bring the war to a decisive close. His use of total war and unrelenting tactics made him both…
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Run the Table: Ulysses S. Grant
By DB Sikes Card Subject Overview Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War and later served as the 18th President of the United States. A strategist of unflinching resolve, Grant earned national recognition for his relentless campaigns in the Western Theater and his eventual defeat of Robert E.…