T206 Sweet Cap/Hindu/Old Mill Factory 649

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

I have often wondered why there is a factory # this high on some Sweet Cap and other brand backs. Most Factory No.s on T cards seem to have 2 digits but here we have three and a # way out of sequence as well. T208 has a three digit factory # (141) and it's tobacco was packaged pretty far North in NY State (Syracuse). But 649?

Now, Factory #'s had to be shown on items packaged with tobacco products for a span of years in the US, presumably so the gummint could track product for taxation purposes. So, some questions:

1) Is there a comprehensive list anywhere of all the factories and districts associated with ATC?

2) Were the factory #'s assigned to ensure proper taxes were paid (i.e. did the # correspond with US Customs zones or some such thing)?

3) Is the fact 649's are overprinted on Sweet Caps and Old Mills but not Hindu significant? It seems to indicate already printed cards were shifted to another factory for distribution. But why?

4) Was Factory 649 product intended for export outside the US or its region?

5) As 649's are the sole District 1 Sweet Caps, does this mean anything?

6) Where was NY District 3 (no backs in T206)?

7) How did Old Mill Southern League get into the mix at Factory 649? Does this support the "export outside of region" theory?

Any insight appreciated!