loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Two 1910 Hassan Tobacco Trading Cards (Track/Swimming Stars) - $25 (near Chelsea)
condition:
fair
QR Code Link to This Post
In 1906, the American Tobacco Co., which had a monopoly on the U.S. market, responded by creating its Hassan Turkish Cork Tip Cigarettes. They were a lot cheaper to buy— 5 cents a pack. The company pretty much squeezed out the competition until President Taft enforced the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in 1911.
As a way to introduce its new cigarettes on the market, Hassan began putting small trade cards in each pack. The cards had different categories: nature, famous explorers, exotic animals, cowboys, and famous athletes of the time.
Not surprisingly, most of them were thrown out after the pack was opened, but these two weren’t. The first card featured C.C. Steinert, a sprinter from New York City. The back of the cards notes that he was really good at 3-legged racing. The other card features swimmer J.A. Ruddy (a.k.a. “Joe Ruddy”). Ruddy won the 1904 Olympic Gold medal in the 4 x 50 years freestyle relay.
As you can see from the photos, both cards have some slight creases, small corner folds, and light tobacco stains. Luckily the graphics on the front and back aren’t affected.
Both cards measure 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, perfect for fitting inside a ten-pack of cigarettes back in 1910.