Very Rare Circa 1890's N559 Lake Erie "State Governors" (35) - The Most Complete Collection Known to the Hobby!...

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Very Rare Circa 1890's N559 Lake Erie "State Governors" (35) - The Most Complete Collection Known to the Hobby! This virtually unique gallery of rarities made their public debut seven years ago and comes to us from the same collector who acquire them in 2007 and have rested comfortably in his possession until today. At the time they more than doubled the list of known subjects. When published in 1999, the Mitchell/Forbes book "American Tobacco Cards" could list but 14 names. Despite the passionate efforts of our consignor, he was unable to add to this gallery of cards that ranks among the rarest 19th Century US tobacco cards ever produced. The unknown artist was a master at the art of stippling. Each portrait exudes an understated elegance and formal aura worthy of the top representative of each state or territory. They challenge those who feel the finest looking cards need the advantage of a universal color pallet. This promotion represents the only cards sponsored by the Lake Erie Tobacco Co. based in Cleveland, Ohio. Their "Ivory Long Cut" tobacco was the lucky product that graces the elegantly designed reverse printed in a distinct slate blue, taking full advantage of the approx. 2-5/8" x 4" canvas. Their appeal to both the historian and hobbyist are for the same reason. They are both historically accurate and as all but two are the lone known survivor, their close to impossible rarity makes them an invaluable addition to our hobby and American heritage.

Currently, aside from second cards of Grover Cleveland and Ormsbee, these are the only cards on record with both SGC and PSA! The only known subject not appearing within is Edward Perry. Overall, the cards present nicer than the technical assessments. Most grades are a reflection on the residual evidence of previous mounting to a scrapbook page about the size a little larger than a dime. Includes: Graded SGC 60 EX 5: 2 cards, Ross/New Mexico and Wilson/West Virginia; SGC 50 VG/EX 4: 4 cards, Foraker/Ohio, Lowrey/Mississippi, Martin/Kansas and Swineford/Alaska; SGC 40 VG 3: 17 cards, Adams/Colorado, Biggs/Delaware, Buckner/Kentucky, Church/Dakota, Grover Cleveland, Gordon/Georgia, Gray/Indiana, Larabee/Iowa, Moonlight/Wyoming, Moorehouse/Missouri, Rusk/Wisconsin, Ross/Texas, Sawyer/New Hampshire, Seay/Alabama, Stevenson/Nevada, Stevenson/Idaho and Thayer/Nebraska; SGC 30 GD 2: 5 cards, Luce/Michigan, Waterman/California, West/Utah, Richardson/South Carolina and Leslie/Montana; SGC 20 Fair 1.5: 4 cards, Ames/Massachusetts, Hughes/Arkansas, Lounsburg/Connecticut and Ormsbee/Vermont; SGC 10 Poor 1: 2 cards, McGill/Minnesota and Scales/North Carolina; SGC Authentic: 1 card, Taylor/Tennessee.