By DB Sikes
Card Subject Overview
Betsy Ross (1752–1836) remains one of the most recognizable figures of Revolutionary War lore. Though historians continue to debate her role in sewing the first American flag, her name is inseparably tied to America’s founding story. The Heroes of History set enshrined her in its pantheon, yet with an enduring production quirk—her name is misspelled as “Betsey Ross” across every known back variety.
The card’s artwork presents Ross seated beneath a deep red curtain, a Federal-era home visible in the background, with folded flag material resting in her lap. It is a striking image of patriotic symbolism and one of the few representations of a woman in the set.
“The flag means everything that our fathers meant in the Revolution; it means everything that the Declaration of Independence meant.”
– Henry Ward Beecher
Card Checklist
✅ Core backs and variations currently assembled:
- Royal Bengals (Factory 2)
- Royal Bengals (Factory 17)
- Miners Extra (Regular)
- Miners Extra (Short Cut)
- Pan Handle Scrap (Blue shades documented, with potential for subtle shade refinements)
- Natural Leaf Scrap
Ross is represented across the major brand families, and while none are easy, the Natural Leaf Scrap is the crown jewel of the run. Her consistent misspelling unites all these types, making the card instantly recognizable to collectors.
Rarity Tier & Difficulty Level
Ross is classified as Tier 3 – Supporting Cast / Regional Hero. While her patriotic association ensures steady demand, she does not command the same attention as top-tier Revolutionary or Civil War leaders in the set.
- Natural Leaf Scrap: The toughest Ross back, rarely surfacing in any condition.
- Pan Handle Scrap Blues: Offer layered challenge, with shade collecting adding nuance for advanced chasers.
- Royal Bengals and Miners Extra: More obtainable, yet essential for the base run.
Acquisition Journey
The Ross run began with the foundational Royal Bengals from both Factory 2 and Factory 17, adding the Miners Extra regular and short cut issues to cover additional brand families. The journey deepened with the Pan Handle Scrap, where subtle shade distinctions invite a “spectrum” chase.
The Natural Leaf Scrap marked the pinnacle of the run, representing one of the hardest Ross backs to secure and solidifying the completeness of this subject across all known brand types
Printing & Distribution Notes
Ross’s wide distribution across brands reflects the American Tobacco Company’s diverse factory production:
- Royal Bengals: Issued from both Jersey City (Factory 2) and Richmond (Factory 17), with slight lithographic tone differences.
- Miners Extra: A standard distribution back, not exceedingly scarce but vital for a run.
- Pan Handle Scrap: Factory 10 product, known for rich color and multiple documented shades.
- Natural Leaf Scrap: Extremely limited issue, and the scarcest Ross back.
The “Betsey Ross” misspelling was consistent across all issues, with no corrected version known, making her a textbook example of uncorrected production oversight.
Research Notes
Ross is one of only a handful of women represented in the T68 set, highlighting both her symbolic place in Revolutionary memory and the limited role afforded to female subjects in early 20th-century tobacco issues.
Her card is an important study for production quirks: the uncorrected spelling error, the breadth of brand representation, and the survival of rare scraps all converge to make her an appealing chase for collectors.
Personal Reflection
Completing the Ross run was a rewarding experience, as she embodies the blend of patriotic myth, rarity, and production history that makes T68 collecting so compelling. The early stages of the run came together with the Bengals and Miners Extra, but the pursuit of Pan Handle shades required persistence and patience. Securing the Natural Leaf Scrap was the defining moment that transformed the collection into a complete run despite its condition.
Ross’s story reminds us that the T68 set is as much about America’s mythology as it is about its history. Her card, forever stamped with the name “Betsey,” captures this tension and ensures her place in the collector’s imagination.
Category Tags
Subject Name: Betsy Ross (misspelled “Betsey Ross”)
Variation Type: Pan Handle Scrap (Blue shades), Natural Leaf Scrap, Miners Extra (Regular & 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: Complete (Pan Handle Scrap shade and Natural Leaf upgrades planned)
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