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In 1907, the U.S. Government began to wage a court battle to dismantle the American Tobacco Company, stating that it was in violation of the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act. After three years, Duke began to dismantle his empire; however, competition was lurking around the corner from the Turks. Just before 1910, Turkish tobacco products began to change American smoking habits, and the American Tobacco Co. began to develop tobacco baseball cards once again. With all the competition, the years 1909-1912 saw some of the most attractive issues in the tobacco baseball card’s history. The ACC’s “T” series tobacco baseball card (T stands for twentieth century tobacco cards) came out during this time and these baseball cards show a great diversity of styles, shapes, and designs. In fact, many innovations seen during this period would not be seen again in baseball cards until the 1950s.

Tobacco Baseball Cards after 1900

1911 T204 Jesse Burkett The T206 set, issued between 1909 and 1911 and featuring advertisements for many different cigarette brands under the umbrella of the American Tobacco Company, features color lithographs and has some of the most sought-after tobacco baseball cards in the hobby. The T206 tobacco baseball card set is nearly impossible to complete as a result of having several tough cards. The Honus Wagner baseball card is legendary for its scarcity (see next paragraph); the Eddie Plank card was reportedly limited by a broken printing plate; an error involving the spelling of Sherry Magee's name was corrected, resulting in a highly sought-after error tobacco baseball card. Some of the other sets issued at this time were also notable; the T205 set has gold borders and the T204 Ramly set features gold embossed edges and an ornate design.

The T206 Honus Wagner tobacco baseball card is probably the most famous in the hobby, but what is most puzzling is how this baseball card came to become so scarce. Most collectors and hobby historians agree that the card was quickly pulled from the set, but the reason why it was pulled has been the source of a lot of discussion. The story that has been most often perpetuated through the years is that Wagner was opposed to tobacco products and upon discovering that his image was being used to sell cigarettes, insisted that his tobacco baseball card be pulled immediately. However, a quick look at Wagner's baseball card from the 1948-49 Leaf set shows him placing a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth. That sinks the anti-tobacco theory; my guess is that Wagner -- one of the sport's biggest names at the time -- had his card pulled because he felt that the American Tobacco people were not paying him enough.

During this era, Turkish-themed cigarette companies (also under the ATC umbrella) also developed tobacco baseball card in the heavy competition, and introduced some innovative designs in the process. The T3 Turkey Reds are huge (8” x 5 ¾”) cabinet-sized cards, which were available through the mail as redemptions rather than in packs. The T201 Mecca Double Folders tobacco baseball cards feature two players on each card, while the T202 Hassan Triple Folders feature two players and an action scene. By 1913, Camel arrived on the market and announced that they would not issue any type of premium (cards included) in their packs because of the high cost of the tobacco. With the Turks entering into World War One the next year on the side of Germany, the tobacco imports were affected, and the German dyes used in the colorful lithography found on cards started becoming scarce. With its trust broken, the companies spun off from the American Tobacco Company halted production of their tobacco baseball cards, and this era abruptly came to an end.

Card collector Benjamin K. Edwards preserved these baseball cards and later gave them to poet Carl Sandburg, who in turn donated them to the library.

Tobacco Baseball Cards at the Library of Congress Site

The Other Trading Cards Are

BaseballCards

Bowman Baseball Cards

Candy Baseball Cards

Gum Baseball Cards

Post War Baseball Cards

Rare Baseball Cards

Topps Baseball Cards

Topps Baseball Cards - Competition

Visit Our Florida Location

William Youngerman, Inc. Bank of America Building - 150 East
Palmetto Park Road - Suite 101 -
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 368-7707 or (800 ) 327-5010