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 feared and admired—and his influence shaped modern warfare.
Sherman’s legacy extended far beyond battle. A loyal friend to Ulysses S. Grant and a post-war advocate for military education and Native American policy, Sherman left a lasting imprint on American military doctrine. His inclusion in the T68 Heroes of History set underscores his enduring reputation as a war strategist, reformer, and national figure.
“I know him well. He is a brave, honest soldier, and a true man.” — Abraham Lincoln on Sherman
Card Checklist
✅ All known backs and variations completed:
- Royal Bengals (Factory 2)
- Royal Bengals (Factory 17)
- Miners Extra (Regular)
- Miners Extra (Short Cut) (SGC Authenticated)
- Natural Leaf Scrap
- Pan Handle Scrap (Blue)
- Natural Leaf Scrap (SGC Graded)
- Blank Back (Unconfirmed)
Sherman is one of the very few T68 subjects to appear across nearly every known back variation, including Natural Leaf and both Miners Extra formats, making him a central figure for collectors attempting a full back-type run.
Rarity Tier & Difficulty Level
William T. Sherman is one of the few T68 subjects featured across nearly every known back variation—including both long and short Miners Extra formats, Natural Leaf Scrap, Pan Handle Scrap, and Royal Bengals from Factories 2 and 17—making him a foundational figure for collectors pursuing a complete back-type run.
Acquisition Journey
The Sherman run was pieced together through deliberate online sourcing, networking with non-sport auction dealers, and leveraging insights from private collectors specializing in rare T68 backs.
The Natural Leaf Scrap example—graded SGC 2.5—was secured via a specialty auction due to its excellent registration and vibrant ink. The Pan Handle Scrap card required direct negotiation through a vintage ephemera dealer. The Miners Extra short cut was located via a targeted search on eBay after months of scouring for cards with graded authentic altered dimensions.
The final card in the run, Royal Bengals Factory 17, arrived as part of a mixed lot but helped finalize a complete Sherman back set.
Printing & Distribution Notes
Sherman cards exhibit the strong lithographic clarity expected from American Lithographic Co. Their production quality remained consistent across Factory 2 and Factory 17, with only subtle differences in cut and ink saturation.
The presence of Sherman on Miners Extra, Natural Leaf, and Pan Handle Scrap indicates that his portrait was used across multiple tobacco product lines and distribution channels. This broad issuance makes him a cornerstone of comparative factory research.
Visual Archive
The Sherman cards in this run demonstrate strong preservation of color, lithographic clarity, and overall print integrity, despite their age and distribution across multiple factory lines. The Natural Leaf Scrap example stands out for its clean, well-inked reverse, with crisp red branding and only minimal age toning along the outer edges. The Miners Extra short cut card displays a slightly darker overall contrast and a noticeable shift in border alignment due to its trimmed size, typical of cards distributed in non-standard tobacco packaging. The Pan Handle Scrap (Blue) features bold ink and sharp front registration, though light back staining and small age spots are present—common issues for this back type. Lastly, the Royal Bengals Factory 17 card shows weaker ink saturation on the reverse but remains a key piece for those completing a full factory variation set. Each card in this group has been professionally scanned to preserve its characteristics and aid future collectors in identifying subtle distinctions across backs.
Research Notes
Sherman’s card appears in patriotic and battle-themed T68 groupings and serves as a comparative benchmark for Grant and Lincoln cards. The full Sherman back-run is one of the most visually balanced and historically complete within the set.
There are currently no known Sherman printing errors or blank-back anomalies confirmed by grading services. However, anecdotal reports suggest a Sherman blank-back example may exist in an ungraded collection.
Personal Reflection
Completing the William T. Sherman run was both historically enriching and logistically challenging. His role in nearly every known back type made him an ideal subject to anchor the Run the Table project. The combination of artistry, historical weight, and production variety made each addition feel like a true step forward in preserving T68 heritage.
Sherman’s presence in both Royal Bengals and multiple scrap lines confirms his role as a keystone figure in the series—both in print and in history.
Category Tags
• Subject Name: William T. Sherman
• Variation Type: Pan Handle Scrap, Natural Leaf Scrap, Miners Extra Long & Short Cut, Royal Bengals Factory 2 & 17
• Rarity Tier: Tier 3 – Notable Supporting Cast
• Year: 1910–1911
• T68 Series: Series One
• Full Back-Type Completed: ✅
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