Hassan and Mecca empty cigarette packs

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
I am sorry if this post is slightly off topic, but I was wondering if anyone here might be able to help me with the aforementioned empty cigarette packs I recently found at a flea market. They both have a 1910 tax stamp (but from searching old posts it seems like that is no guarantee they once held cards), and they both look similar to ones on Leon's website. Here are my questions:
1. Did one or both of these every hold a sports or nonsports card?
2. If so, where was the card inserted?
3. I realize there is value in these when they are unopened (based on the potential of finding a card), but what happens when they are open (and empty) like these? Do they have any value (beyond the 10.00 I paid for the pair)?
4. Is there only one variation of either of these that might have held a card? I believe the Mecca pack I have has a slightly different design than the one I saw on Leon's website.
I really appreciate the knowledge on this forum and I thank you in advance for your help on these questions.
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

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Posted By: leon

Hi Alan
I am definitely not an expert on these but will give you a few points I think are true...(this is not off topic at all, btw)

1. I believe both types (not sure of these exact ones) would have held baseball cards at one time, depending on the overstamp dates on the stamps, and the factory numbers.. I don't know about non-sports cards being in them.

2. I think there was some tin foil type packaging (not tin foil but close) in these as issued and the card would have been somewhere in the pack...but not sure exactly where. Maybe Jon C will chime in...he knows far more than I do, so does Richard D....

3. These are fairly common and the prices go from about $10-$25 opened, in decent condition...from what I have seen.

4. Most brands of cigarettes changed their packaging over the years they put out the cigarettes. I have variations of many different packs. Remember, the overstamp date is the most important thing on these for determining if a card could have come in it. Ones with correct date overstamps, and factory numbers, will be worth more than the others.....

regards

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

Leon was dead on with his description except for two small points.

I don't believe that either the Hassan or Mecca packs had tin foil with them. With Hassan, I'm positive. A number of years ago, I had the pleasure of watching one being opened with a NM triple folder pulled from the inside (albeit it was badly micut top to bottom). The card was folded and inserted right behind the cigarettes with the back of the inner panel in direct contact with the cigarettes. Also, of note, the inner slide of the Hassan pack had a baseball scorecard printed on it. I don't know if all Hassan's that held cards had a baseball scorecard printed on the inner slide but this one did. I purchased the pack after it was opened and can provide scans later tonight if you would like.

Now, in terms of value, I disagree slightly. If you have the correct period pack, I think the values would be closer to $50 each or so, maybe even more on an eBay auction and who is bidding. The packs are certainly not the most rare, but since there are many double/triple folder collectors out there, these make great companion pieces.

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Posted By: Richard Dwyer

The correct year for T201 Double Folders is 1911. The factory number, district and state should be 30, 2, NY. The overprinting must have this info and the year must be 1911 to be a T201 box.

To be a T205 box, it must have the same info as above. The 0nly different is the date, it must be 1911 or 1912. Hassan also had Factory 649, District 1, NY for T205, same years.


I don't have either box, but would like to get my hands on them. (Even though they're not period)

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

Hassan with scorecard...

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Posted By: leon

Thanks for correcting me. I can only think it a Freudian slip about the "tin foil". I have all of my packs together and this is the one I was thinking of...I also agree on the values...as I said above...I feel the ones that have correct dates/factories are worth more but didn't go as far as to say how much....Thanks for chiming in....I think I have some of these Hassans and Meccas...but don't know if any are correctly dated and #'d.

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Posted By: Richard Dwyer

Hey Leon, your box looks like it has weed in it. Each box came with 10 joints.

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Posted By: Anonymous

Ah! Those were the days.

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Posted By: Alan Elefson

Hi-
First of all, thank you very much for all of your quick responses! I am continually amazed by the knowledge of this board! I checked the Mecca pack, and there is an overstamp (at least I think that is what it is, there is black printing stamped over the blue tax stamp, with a date facotry, etc. on it. I never knew what an overstamp was before.) with the date March 1st (it is hard to read if there is a number there or just a stain) 1911 and the factory number 30 and district 2. The Hassan pack also has the same factory and district, and the date is March 20 1911, but the 1 at the end appears to be bent (it does not look like a 9, but there is a slight chance it could be a 7, rather than a bent 1. I will try to do a more detailed scan and see if I can determine it from that. A cheap magnifying glass did not do the trick.).
Are there any records concerning when either of these companies issued sets (I thought some of that was known for T206s, but I am not sure.)? Also, any additional information about the companies or the packs would be greatly appreciated. Please also feel free to show your Mecca and Hassan packs!
Thanks again,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com


edited to add that my Hassan pack does not have a scorecard on the inside. It is a white slide that says Mecca on one side and push this end on the other.