T68 Blog: Insights from the Archive
Welcome to the T68 Blog — your dedicated source for original research, collector insights, and historical deep dives into the T68 Heroes of History and Men and Women of History tobacco card sets. This blog is a living archive that explores the people, factories, printing methods, and brand variations that make this iconic series one of the most collectible and complex tobacco issues of the early 20th century.
From rare back variations and factory distribution stories to production techniques and confirmed collector discoveries, each post aims to bring a richer understanding of the T68 landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning your journey, this space is designed to help you connect the pieces and uncover new details hiding in plain sight.
Featured Topics:
- 🧭 Factory Spotlights – Deep dives into Lorillard’s Factory No. 2, Factory 17 in Virginia, and the lithographic role of American Lithographic Company.
- 📦 Back Variations – Visual breakdowns and rarity analysis of Royal Bengals, Miners Extra (standard and short cut), Pan Handle Scrap (Blue and Silver), Natural Leaf, and Blank Backs.
- 🎯 Collector Confirmations – Blog articles highlighting key discoveries like the Molly Pitcher “Cannon Down” Variation, including which backs it has been verified on.
- 🖨️ Printing & Branding – Exploration of printing partnerships and advertising strategies, including comparisons to similar sets like Gridley Butter and D117 Weber Baking.
Check back often as we continue to build out content based on original research, collector submissions, and historical sources.
Current Blogs/Articles/Pages
Stamped OK – Tracing the Forgotten Markings on T68 Tobacco Cards
Molly Pitcher and the Mystery of the Cannon: A Rare T68 Variation
T68 Royal Bengals 2 Factory 2, 5th District of New Jersey
T68 Royal Bengals 17 Factory 17, 2nd District of Virginia.
“The Collector’s Mark: How Handwritten Numbers Told the First Stories”
Run the table: Ulysses S. Grant
Run the table: William T. Sherman
Beyond the Cigar Box: How T68 Imagery Lived on in Bread, Butter, and Milk
Run the Table: Ferdinand de Lesseps
Run the Table: General “Mad” Anthony Wayne
T68 Jobber Stamp Feature B & L Marshall, Philadelphia
T68 Market Watch- George Washington Edition
Run the Table: King George III
T68 Miners Extra 5 Factory 5, 2nd District of MD
The Making of the T68 “Heroes of History” Cards: Inside the American Lithographic Company’s Mastery
T68 Market Watch- Abraham Lincoln Edition
The T68 Census: Natural Leaf Scrap – Graded Population (SEP 25)
