T-Cards (Tobacco)
Introduction
T-Cards represent American tobacco issues and are one of the most popular of the designations given by Jefferson Burdick in the American Card Catalog.
These were cards that were either packaged directly with tobacco products or issued separately by tobacco companies. Some wrestling issues are American cards. The bulk, however, are from other parts of the world. Several were part of multi-sport issues from the United Kingdom.
Tobacco cards were popular (and at least one even led to a marriage) but they were also being blamed for causing all sorts of problems related to children collecting them. After a temporary ban on American tobacco cards in the late 1800s, they came back with a bang in the early 1900s.
Of the various types of pre-war cards, wrestling is found the most in tobacco sets. While there are not many exclusive wrestling sets that were produced, there were a few such sets. The majority of pre-war wrestling cards, however, are found in sets where numerous sports were included.
Below is a list of pre-war wrestling card sets and multi-sport sets where a wrestling card can be found.
Looking to learn more about collecting tobacco cards? Here’s an introduction of sorts that I wrote, which covers their history.
Sets
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