Rare giant store card featuring actual cigarette making girl circa 1887

Henry Moses living well in Florida. 561-289-2362

Upon introspection, I think that there are often times I am too passionate, too involved in what are merely things to other people. But these things are in fact a bridge that connects me to history. Within these pre-1920 artifacts I can explore science and literature, trace troubled and rightious lives, and revel in great achievements. Sometimes I can just lose myself in the simplicity of an earlier time. Photographs are like windows you can look thru. Trade cards, like the pages of the scrap books they were found in, are filled with insights reflected in what is written and what is implied. Early base ball, boxing, and sports embody an irrepressible spirit that was often beautifully captured by the renderings of an un-named artist's vision and the lithographer's handiwork on a tin or tobacco insert card. Laughter, sexuality, fraternity, and wonderment were all addressed within the confines of a small rectangular piece of cardboard and a wash of ink. The civil war, tobacco companies, monopolies and conglomerates, the railroad, chromolithography, mechanization, prosperity, education, photography and scientific advances are all factors that helped define the middle to late 19th century, and they are all inextricably entwined. One needs simply to grasp a single thread to explore them all (at least that's what happened to me). This period that defines the temporal boundaries in which I collect (1860-1916) was marked by some of the most dramatic changes in the history of man - from the deaths of nearly a third of our citizens, to the technological renaissance born of its horrors by way of mechanization, industrialization and transportation. There is the visceral as well that perpetuates and drives my hobbying; the thrill of the chase-the hunt- the triumphant return from a paper show with an Allen & Ginter banner hoisted in the air like a prize buck splayed over the hood of a car (I told you I'm a little strange). I also enjoy the banter with those of similar interests and the excitement generated by an unexpected discovery that mitigates something thought to be FACT and casts new light on it. I know I've said too much. Thanks for these few minutes of your time. I hope I have not bored you too much. These things seem a little self-serving. I'm probably the only one interested in taking the time to read it, and if not, then I should have put more thought into writing it. But then I would have no time to buy anything and where would that leave me? Huh?

CURRENT (10/10/09) MOST WANTED LIST: I'm looking to buy or trade for: Roly Poly -tobacco tin - Scotland Yard - excellent or better Allen & Ginter - N43 large World Champions- tobacco cards - very good to excellent or better ANY Duke/Honest Long Cut/Old Fashion/Fine Cut - real sepia photo indians AND Sunny South series black/african american subjects- tobacco cards - excellent or better ANY Old Judge/Goodwin - advertising store cards - diecut heads - very good or better ANY Kimball - N184 - Champions - tobacco cards - Very good (no creases) or better ANY Little Rhody and other - women lithographed baseball players - tobacco cards - @@@@@@@@@ FINDER'S FEE for the single card I need but will buy any @@@@@@@@@ R E W A R D - $$$$$$$$$ Honest Long Cut sepia photo from life card featuring 2 black boys boxing while a white referee looks on $$$$$$$$$$$$

Had it twice and let it get away. On my wish list yet again.......

I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF BUT..................

Thanks for "shopping by". I am a crazed collector/dealer (not selling much now except as consignment) with an insatiable appetite for early tobacco related "stuff", early advertising, and pre-1920 sport/non-sport cards. I'm most interested in buying the following PROVIDED THEY ARE OLD, ORIGINAL, and PRE 1920: tobacco cards, trade cards, cigarette insert cards, cigarette packs (empty or full), chairs, clocks, premiums, banners, posters, silks, leathers, albums, store or individual photographs such as tintypes-ambrotypes-daguerreotypes-CDV'S or "cabinet" cards that depict UNUSUAL TOBACCO RELATED images, nude carved Meershaum pipes, point of sale and die-cut advertising/store cabinets for the card issuing tobacco companies. IN OTHER WORDS; just about anything relating to tobacco from "plugs" to cigarettes to cigars. I am also interested in 19th century women base ball players (Black Stocking Nine) (Polka Dot Nine) and "lemon peel" baseballs, Feel free to email me anytime to discuss, explore, or offer me material. I'm just sitting here by my computer waiting to hear from you (well; almost).......