I can see a distinction between Red Cross tobacco packages and Red Cross tobacco cards. There may well have been ball cards in all Red Cross packages. Ball cards might have been put in the packages to compete on a regional basis.
Anecdotal history that I've heard is consistent with what Mr. Burdick and Mr. Lipset have. I think the T215 cards were distributed in Red Cross cigarette packages in Louisiana about 99 years ago. And for years most of the cards turned up in Louisiana.
I have one, it is in Kentucky. I bought it from Mr. Lipset about 20 years ago, when he was in New York. I think that card was printed in New York, delivered to a factory in New Jersey, packaged with cigarettes in a Red Cross tobacco package, shipped to Louisiana, and then the package was sold to a consumer.
Last edited by Matt; 03-21-2010 at 11:52 AM.
Reason: Reverted
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