Category: Uncategorized
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“The Collector’s Mark: How Handwritten Numbers Told the First Stories”
By DB Sikes Before checklists were printed, they were scribbled. In the earliest days of tobacco card collecting—around 1910 to 1911—there were no master lists, no official card guides, and certainly no web forums to ask what you were missing. Kids and collectors alike had only one reliable reference: the backs of their own cards.…
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Stamped OK – Tracing the Forgotten Markings on T68 Tobacco Cards
By DB Sikes A Fictional Scene, Rooted in Historical Truth Newark, New Jersey — Spring, 1911 The bell over the loading dock rang twice before Mr. Keane barked his orders from the catwalk. “Douglas, mark the Royal Bengals for westbound shipping. Don’t smear the ink.” “Yes, sir,” I called back, already dabbing the Carter’s violet…
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Molly Pitcher and the Mystery of the Cannon: A Rare T68 Variation
By DB Sikes Among the many heroes depicted in the T68 Heroes of History series, Molly Pitcher stands out, not only for her Revolutionary War legend, but for a subtle and mysterious variation that has captivated collectors for years. Known as the “Cannon Down” variant, this version of the card features altered front artwork that…