I am trying to get an idea of the time period and possible value of some old what I believe to be cigarette cards. I have attached a scan of some of these cards. The top ones are the ones are from a numbered set of famous politicians and military leaders probably from the time around World War 1. I have included a reverse of one with a Valentine message. The lower ones have higher numbers and a different theme and may or may not be from the same set. The cardboard is a bit different (thinner).

http://picasaweb.google.com/MacDaddyWack/OldCards?authkey=kFaz8DfKDBo#

These cards measure 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches. Anybody have any ideas? Would there be some publication that would show this set and present day prices? Any help much appreciated.

Thanks so much.

'strip' cards. I think some of the ones pictured come from a set of about 200 cards. Likely issued circa WWI or so. Don't know much about the ones with something on the back. Most of the strip cards I have are blankbacked. Maybe someone else can chime in. The baseball versions of the strip cards are pretty well documented but the non-sports ones are kind of Wild West stuff still as far as I know. Not much out there on them. Looking at my American Card Catalog, I think some of yours are from the W545 series. Numbered 1-200..........
See the picture attached for a page from the ACC. You can pick up an ACC from ebay for $15-$20 in a reprinted 1960 copy. They are want for detail though. Just basic information.

typically they are a buck or two each at the most in decent shape unless:
(a) subject matter is more valuable........president picture, etc
(b) someone REALLY needs them to finish a set or subset.

I saw a whole or near whole set of these on ebay a while back for an amount I can't remember. For a 200 card strip set, it seemed a little high....maybe $500-$700 or way more. Can't remember. Had all the insignias etc from the set. Would have to be very tough to complete though.

Called 'strip' because that's the way they were typically issued. Or in sheets. Typically 8/10/12 or so cards to a strip when someone purchased gum or some other type of product that the propreitor wanted to sell I guess. The sheet versions I've seen of a couple baseball sets had like 25 cards to the sheet.

Thanks so much for all this great info Tom. I'll pursue your leads.

Richard Pope