Red Man Tobacco Card Collecting?

[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.

[homerunhitter]

I forgot to ask, what is the best way to store these? In a binder? In a larger yop loader? Thanks

[metroac]

I think they look great in four-pocket pages in a binder. I find it easier to appreciate them this way instead of in a stack of top-loaders.

One other item - a lot of the cards have minor creasing, and the minor creasing can be hard to spot, especially in a show venue that's not well lit. I hate to say how many lightly creased cards I've taken home thinking they were perfect (or at least uncreased). But maybe that's just my own carelessness (or excitement at finding them).

Cards without tabs are great if you want to stretch your budget. Nice star cards with tabs can be pricey, but they're more desirable and probably more liquid if/when you go to sell.