Circa 1910 S13-17, S30-40, S78-79, S86-S90, S100, and SC9 "Medals, Flags, States, Cities, Rulers" Tobacco Silks Collection (32 Sets, 871 Silks)

Sold For:

$840

Year:

1910

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

2686

Category:

Non-Sports Cards/Sheets/Card Artwork

Presented is a sizable collection of 1910-era nonsport tobacco silks consisting of 871 silks from thirty-two different issues and depicting subjects ranging from medals to flags to rulers. In the early part of the century, tobacco companies issued silks as premiums. These premiums were often more ornate than standard tobacco cards and have come to be appreciated by collectors for their strong aesthetics and fantastic presentation. Silks are very difficult to grade because they are not like standard trading cards, but almost all of the silks have retained their original bold colors and crisp images. This group varies in condition with many of the common flaws associated with silks present (fold lines and fraying, most frequently). 1) S13 National Arms complete set (25): Vg to Vg-Ex, with a few lesser. 2) S14 National Arms complete set minus one (39/40) plus one variation: Ex overall, including a few with a possible slight trim. Missing only Greece for completion. Including a brand variation for Chili. 3) S15 Military Medals and Orders (9): Six Vg-Ex and three lesser (due to fraying and pencil on the reverse). 4) S16 Military and Lodge Medals (21/50): Thirteen Vg to Vg-Ex, and eight with the cigarette advertising trimmed off. 5) S17 Military and Lodge Medals complete set (51) plus six color variations: Forty-five Vg-Ex to Ex, and twelve lesser (mostly due to stitching holes or a possible slight trim). 6) S30-2 National Flags (3): Denmark (Vg-Ex), Egypt (Vg-Ex), and #24 Ireland (Vg-Ex). 7) S31-2 National Flags (6) Nebo Cigarettes advertising: Vg overall. Including two variation of Italy. 8) S31-3 National Flags (6) Zira Cigarettes advertising: Vg to Vg-Ex overall. 9) S31-4 National Flags (4): Vg to Vg-Ex. 10) S31-5 National Flags (1): Russia (Vg). 11) S31-6 National Flags (3): England (Ex) and two United States (Vg and Fr). 12) S32-1 National Flags (1): Germany (Vg-Ex). 13) S32-2 National Flags (2): Albania (Vg) and Switzerland (Vg). 14) S32-3 National Flags (4): Vg to Vg-Ex. 15) S33 National Flags complete set (154) plus 67 variations: Vg-Ex to Ex overall, with 15% lesser (including one altered). All silks are without backings. 16) S35 Flag and Arms (50/57) plus eighteen variations and one duplicate: Vg to Ex, averaging Vg-Ex (including a couple slightly lesser). 17) S36 Flag and Arms (22/43): Seventeen Vg-Ex to Ex, and five Gd to Vg. 18) S38 Flags and Arms (23/27): Vg-Ex to Ex overall, with a few lesser. 19) S39-1 Flags and Arms (67/249): Ex overall, with six trimmed. 20) S39-2 Flags and Arms (14/83) plus one duplicate: Ex to Ex-Mt overall, with one lesser. 21) S40-1 National Flag, Song, and Flowers (5): Denmark (Ex), France (Ex), Ireland (Gd), Spain (Ex), and Sweden (Ex). 22) S40-2 National Flag, Song, and Flowers (8): Vg to Vg-Ex overall. 23) S40-3 National Flag, Song, and Flowers complete set (27): Vg-Ex to Ex overall, with a couple slightly lesser. 24) S78 Ruler with National Arms complete set (24): Vg to Vg-Ex overall. 25) S79 Rulers complete set (10): Vg to Vg-Ex overall. 26) S86 State Seals (33/47): Vg-Ex to Ex overall, with a few lesser. 27) S87 State Flags (30/35) plus two duplicates: Ex overall, with a few lesser (including three with the cigarette brand trimmed off). 28) S88 State Maps (36/44): 60% Vg-Ex to Ex, 40% lesser (including eleven with the cigarette brand trimmed off). 29) S89 State Flowers (21/25): Vg-Ex to Ex overall, with a few lesser. 30) S90 City Seals (48/77): Vg to Vg-Ex overall, with eight lesser. 31) S100 Automobile (6): Three Vg-Ex to Ex, two Vg, and one Pr-Fr. 32) SC9 Canadian Rulers with Flag (22/27): Vg to Vg-Ex overall, with a couple lesser due to stitching holes. This is a tremendous assembly of silks, that is truly a collection unto itself, and which would be a substantial addition to any advanced silk or nonsport-card collection. Total: 871 silks. Reserve $200. Estimate (open).