Metal Tobacco Card, advertising or printing related vintage?

[Richmond1]

Hi,

Does anyone have any info on a company that produced metal tobacco cards in the past?

This is an unusual find. Someone has taken a metal Prince Albert tobacco box and mounted the tin metal baseball card inside and sealed it up. I have not dismantled it yet, because I didn't want to damage it if possible.

The entire item measures 3.5" X 5".

Thank you.

 

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[Lucas]

Looks like Detroit Tigers 1909. Panel cut from a P A can.

Detroit, my home town!

[forgot to mention that is Ty Cobb!]

Update, it is called the Ty Cobb Green Portrait. By Piedmont. Ty Cobb liked Prince Albert brand. VG prices in the 3k range.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Ill check back on this one later. Too bad its not the rare Piedmont cigarette card.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If you are sure its metal, maybe it came from a serving tray. No time to search. interesting...later.

 

[Tony in SC]

What ever the reason this was done, it is still a very collectable item. Tony

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks like Detroit Tigers 1909. Panel cut from a P A can.

Detroit, my home town!

[forgot to mention that is Ty Cobb!]

Update, it is called the Ty Cobb Green Portrait. By Piedmont. Ty Cobb liked Prince Albert brand. VG prices in the 3k range.

Are you saying Piedmont produced metal baseball cards? Yes the panel was cut from a PA can and good ID on the Ty cobb green portrait baseball card look-a-like image, but it is metal, not cardboard, the way I understand it.

This is an interesting piece and if I get a chance Ill search. Please stay with us, Richmond, Im sure we can ID this for you. Is that a frame around it or part of the can?

 

[Iron Patch]

Keep trying to match it! What a shame it's just a cut piece. (but still) I would contact that auction house, they might know, or know who will.

Extremely rare example of the Ty Cobb Tobacco tin, one of collecting's most legendary rarities. Universally regarded as the "King of All Tobacco Tins," fewer than ten examples are known to exist. The Ty Cobb Tobacco tin features the T206 yellow background batting pose of Cobb on both sides. This is the only tin with a direct connection to the baseball tobacco card issues of the day. In addition to featuring the same pose as one of Cobb's most classic cards, collectors are very familiar with the related T206 Ty Cobb portrait card with advertising for Ty Cobb Tobacco on the reverse, which is one of the greatest rarities and most valuable cards of the T206 set. There are a comparable number of Ty Cobb cards with Ty Cobb advertising on reverse, and Ty Cobb tins (approximately seven or eight of each). In addition to its great stature as one of baseball collecting's premier rarities, it is also recognized in the non-baseball advertising tobacco tin collecting hobby, a very popular and sophisticated field of collecting in its own right, as one of the most desirable and important rarities of all tobacco tins, baseball or otherwise. Early tins tend to be subject to considerable wear in the form of scratches, rust, and denting. This is a mid-grade example, with one side grading a "5" on a scale of "1 to 10," with minor scratches and dents, and the identical other side grading a "3" overall due to a few more imperfections, including some spotted oxidation. Flaws of this nature are common and to be expected with early tins. In terms of condition, as far as the entire population of known Ty Cobb Tobacco tins is concerned, this tin falls exactly in the middle of the pack. We know of three examples in varying higher grades (all locked away in advanced collections), and three examples in lower grades. This is the "Honus Wagner" of tobacco tins, and is extremely desirable in any condition. Like any display piece, one of the most important qualities is overall display value. Fortunately, both sides of the tin are of an identical design, and the higher grade side displays exceptionally well, making this a particularly desirable example. Reserve $5,000. Estimate $10,000/$20,000. SOLD FOR $10,440.00

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2005/68.html

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks everyone for the info so far.
Yes, it is a cut out from an old Prince Albert Can for sure.

Also, it is a Ty Cobb card but metal. I am trying to figure out who produced metal tobacco cards.

Although it does appear that it is in a photo frame, it is actually a lace type border glued around the edge with much care and precision.

The piece is completely flat, thick metal and magnetic.

The metal photo of Cobb may be part of the bottom portion or separate. I can't tell yet.

I know Cobb did a lot of stuff with Coca-Cola, and tobacco so I am leaning on it was an advertising item. But, where did the image come from if not a metal card?

I would say it was cut from a tobacco tin to put in a frame, and if you ever sell it, that's exactly what you should do. (Find a frame that dates the same, and sell it that way)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

where did the image come from if not a metal card?

I would say it was cut from a tobacco tin to put in a frame, and if you ever sell it, that's exactly what you should do. (Find a frame that dates the same, and sell it that way)

Why would someone cut a Ty Cobb portrait from a tobacco tin, just to frame it in another tobacco tin. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/2320-ty-cobb-tin

 

[Iron Patch]

where did the image come from if not a metal card?

I would say it was cut from a tobacco tin to put in a frame, and if you ever sell it, that's exactly what you should do. (Find a frame that dates the same, and sell it that way)

Why would someone cut a Ty Cobb portrait from a tobacco tin, just to frame it in another tobacco tin. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/2320-ty-cobb-tin

Because at the time it wasn't a $10,000 tin, it was just a tin. Just look at a rare coin that is holed... same idea. Of course I'm just guessing, but is what makes the most sense to me.

I also found his other post/request too.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If we could find the tobacco tin that this was cut from, it would be solved. My guess is it was from a tin serving tray like the ones made by Coca-Cola but so far I cant find anything. He was a spokesperson for F. R. PENN TOBACCO CO. and W.B. Jarvis Sporting Goods Store but I cant find a match there either.

I think someone wanted to make it appear like he sponsored Prince Albert, an American brand of tobacco introduced by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1907.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Whats this? http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/26399

I have a set of Topps All-Time Greats baseball cards. They are gold foil on cardboard backing that came on my dad's Prince Albert tobacco. I think they are from 1947. The set includes Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby and many others pre-WWII stars.

 

[Iron Patch]

I guess I should actually read the post! I thought it was all metal. That's what I get for trying to watch tv at the same time.

So what's the mystery? I don't see what needs to be solved. (unless you think it was made that way by a company - doesn't that seem unlikely?)

I can see how it would be a difficult one to solve, and impossible if it was a personal one of a kind type thing.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I guess I should actually read the post! I thought it was all metal. That's what I get for trying to watch tv at the same time.

So what's the mystery? I don't see what needs to be solved. (unless you think it was made that way by a company - doesn't that seem unlikely?)

It may be one of a kind (assembly). It looks like the extremely valuable baseball card but its not because its metal. Thats the mystery. Where did the metal Ty Cobb image come from and what is the value? Did they manufacture metal baseball cards? I think Lucas also misunderstood because I dont understand his response either.

I think its solvable and I think TN is the place to get it solved.. It was cut from something made by a company. Its also most likely valuable. Right now its a mystery...

 

[Iron Patch]

Well here's the card, and someone just used a tobacco tin to frame it. Isn't that easy? Or am I still missing something?

https://www.gfg.com/baseball/cobb.shtml

 

[Iron Patch]

Well here's the card, and someone just used a tobacco tin to frame it. Isn't that easy? Or am I still missing something?

https://www.gfg.com/baseball/cobb.shtml

Hey guys. Thanks for all the research and guesses.

Just to clarify, the card is metal, not paper. But, the card is an image of the T206 Green Portrait Ty Cobb.

Still trying to find out who made metal baseball cards, or if the metal image is cut from a tobacco tin, or old advertsing tin possibly from Coca-Cola etc...

hmmm.... Now you got me. So the card, which is obviously separate from the front, is actually made of metal? In that case it would seem the Prince Albert Tobacco company had the rights to the image and probably produced the item? Maybe researching the Image could be a good lead. Who owned or bought the rights... and if that company did.

I think this is the What's it Big C needed.

 

[5woodluther]

I assume that this was just purchased / sold on Ebay last week. I started to look at it then.

How is the tin and the portrait assembled? It looks like you have the portrait sandwiched between the tin and some type of backing. I think it would be best too disassemble it, as you know that it is an assembled piece. The real value would be if the portrait is actually a complete metal card with some identification on it. You are not going to lower the value as long as you don't damage the portrait while doing so. I would try to steam it if it is glued and go from there. Keep us updated, as I would like to know just what you have there.

 

[Iron Patch]

I assume that this was just purchased / sold on Ebay last week. I started to look at it then.

How is the tin and the portrait assembled? It looks like you have the portrait sandwiched between the tin and some type of backing. I think it would be best too disassemble it, as you know that it is an assembled piece. The real value would be if the portrait is actually a complete metal card with some identification on it. You are not going to lower the value as long as you don't damage the portrait while doing so. I would try to steam it if it is glued and go from there. Keep us updated, as I would like to know just what you have there.

I think so too. I will try to take it apart.
I think we are all going to be dissappointed but I will let everyone know what is hiding behind the Prince Albert.
My guess is it's going to be jagged cut with no marks but we will see.

I think doing anything at this point is a bad idea. What if it was made that way... you might cost yourself thousands! Yes, probably unlikely, but there's nothing to lose by waiting a while longer. Because if there is a metal card under there then it is possible to find a match, or someone that knows! And once you do that, then break it open. There's absolutely no point to breaking it now.

And if you do see a jagged edge you just killed whatever value it had.

 

[trikikiwi]

I assume that this was just purchased / sold on Ebay last week. I started to look at it then.

How is the tin and the portrait assembled? It looks like you have the portrait sandwiched between the tin and some type of backing. I think it would be best too disassemble it, as you know that it is an assembled piece. The real value would be if the portrait is actually a complete metal card with some identification on it. You are not going to lower the value as long as you don't damage the portrait while doing so. I would try to steam it if it is glued and go from there. Keep us updated, as I would like to know just what you have there.

I think so too. I will try to take it apart.
I think we are all going to be dissappointed but I will let everyone know what is hiding behind the Prince Albert.
My guess is it's going to be jagged cut with no marks but we will see.

I think doing anything at this point is a bad idea. What if it was made that way... you might cost yourself thousands! Yes, probably unlikely, but there's nothing to lose by waiting a while longer. Because if there is a metal card under there then it is possible to find a match, or someone that knows! And once you do that, then break it open. There's absolutely no point to breaking it now.

And if you do see a jagged edge you just killed whatever value it had.

Crikey I agree entirely with Iron Patch.
I have to say I wouldn't recommend 5woodluther's advice.
Mike

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I assume that this was just purchased / sold on Ebay last week.

That makes it even more mysterious. It may help if we can see the eBay ad. I dont know how to pull up old ads.