Red Man Tobacco Card Collecting?

[metroac]

Like many of us, I once had a large card collection, but sold it off -- in my case, in two large divestitures in 1997 and 2009. A few years later, though, I found that I missed collecting and wanted to get back in. I didn't want to collect what I'd collected before unless they were sets I really liked. I started with two sets that I thought were 1) small, 2) really beautiful, 3) didn't have to be perfect to be enjoyable, 4) didn't contain any real budget busters, and 5) that I hadn't collected before. They were the 1936 R312 Pastels and the '52-'55 Red Man.

I started with a "find" on eBay of about 30 1953's (with tabs) that had been pasted in an album and survived a fire (as evidenced by the charring around the edges). About half of them were Hall of Famers. I replaced all of them as I built my '53 set, but they're still some of my favorite cards (and they still smell of smoke).

[homerunhitter]

These are really cool guys! Thanks for your posts! I’m still trying to decide if I want to collect these with the tabs or not. Besides monetary value in the lower g run not sure if tabs are more desireable or not. Or if it makes a huge difference or not. I’m really not sure which way to go on the tabs or not. What do you recommend?/suggest? Thanks

[BobC]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

These are really cool guys! Thanks for your posts! I’m still trying to decide if I want to collect these with the tabs or not. Besides monetary value in the lower g run not sure if tabs are more desireable or not. Or if it makes a huge difference or not. I’m really not sure which way to go on the tabs or not. What do you recommend?/suggest? Thanks

Get them with the tabs. Biggest reason why..........the tabs spell out exactly what year, and what card number, they are, right on front. Makes it super easy to identify them. If you haven't noticed already, the card images were pretty much copied year to year. Those tabs make it super easy to keep track of them.

[Mutton Chop Yaz]

These are beautiful cards that aren't the subject of much discussion and seem to be overlooked. Interest in these sets is probably muted by their atypical size and lack of Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson, but their size highlights the artwork and the player selection is pretty great otherwise. Anyone who appreciates colorful, artistic cards should appreciate these. The write-ups are also very nice.

I have one card from each of the sets in my Cleveland HOF type card collection. I'm also working on the 1955 set, which I selected because it seems to be the most affordable of the sets that include Mays. It also features a bunch of Indians coming off their 1954 pennant year.

[tschock]

Bert,

A couple things I'll add, which I don't think were mentioned about the set(s). If I remember correctly, ALL the cards had 2 different dates on the back for the redemptions, March or May. So you have those variations if you REALLY get into them. You can also use the backs for dating the cards as well if they don't have tabs. And the backs altered green-red-green-red for 52-53-54-55. You can also start with a single year, and if you like those, add another year or the rest of them.

Obviously WITH tabs are more expensive, relatively speaking. But it's not like the cards were completely cut out from a package (like Team Flakes, Milk Duds, Wheaties, etc), so you are only dealing with a single 'tab' cut. Either way you go, they look nice in a binder. I have a complete run of mixed with and without tabs, and that doesn't bother me. Besides, you can always cut off that tabs if you end up deciding to go that route.

Good luck on a cool set!

[G1911]

I'm casually collecting them all. The artwork is beautiful, they are pretty cheap, and there are no Mantle's, Aaron's, Jackie's or big rookies in them to escalate the cost. I'll need two of every card due to the different expiration dates. I'm probably 25-33% through. I have a Gus Zernial with a blank back, haven't seen another blank back but also haven't looked too hard. I have a few tabs but prefer them without; they're easier and cheaper that way and the tab's aren't exactly cool or something meant to stay attached.

[jayshum]

If anyone is working on the 1954 Red Man set and can use a low grade Woodling, Rizzuto or Porterfield without tabs, PM me or email me at jandcristi@verizon.net and I can send you pictures and prices.