1913-14 Richmond Artistic Pictures Set and Checklist (T32)

‘It’s In The Details’

Title Richmond Artistic Pictures (T32)
Year 1913-14
Size 2 3/8″ x 3 1/8″
Images Color
Type Tobacco
Number in Set
10

1913-14 Richmond Artistic Pictures Overview

1913-14 Richmond Artistic Pictures Golf T321913-14 Richmond Artistic Pictures Tennis T32This unique set included a total of ten cards featuring women participating in various activities. They were advertisements from the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for its Richmond Straight Cut Cigarettes products.

Each card was printed with a coupon and had a colorful image of a woman. Some were non-sports cards but there were some sports issues as well, including a golfer and tennis player. The artwork for the pictures was performed by Valentine Sandberg and his name is printed in small type on the cards.

The cards were really part of a larger redemption program where consumers could send in 20 coupons to Littett & Myers at either their Richmond, New York, or St. Louis addresses (or to the John Bollman Company in San Francisco) and receive a large 17 1/2″ x 25 1/2″ reproduction of Valentine’s original photos. Collectors could choose from one of the ten card images found in the Richmond Straight Cut Cigarettes. The promotion ended in June of 2014, helping to date these cards to 1913 and/or 1914.

The images on these cards are quite striking. Not that earlier cards didn’t have excellent artwork. But these images have a different look which sets them apart from other issues in a way.

Card numbering, for whatever reason, begins at No. 308. That seems to indicate they would have been part of a larger, overall series.

Reprint or Nah?

The cards themselves can throw collectors off into thinking they are purchasing a reprint. The cards themselves have the print ‘miniature reproduction.’ That, however, means a reproduction of Sandberg’s original photo – not that the card in question is a reprint of an authentic card in the packs.

All cards in the packs came with that designation.

1913-14 Richmond Artistic Pictures Checklist

308. Tennis
309. Canoeing
310. Golf
311. Lady with Collie
312. Yachting
313. Swing Girl
314. Duck Hunter
315. Winter Girl
316. Skating
317. Coasting

Follow Pre-War Cards on Twitter and also be sure to like our page on Facebook.