Auction #13 - February 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2023
One of the many oversized sets Duke issued was this 25 card set of "Presidential Possibilities" of 1888. Two of the subjects would eventually become U.S. Presidents--Benjamin Harrison of Indiana and William McKinley of Ohio. Many of the other possibilities are mostly unknown but some were subject pictured on other card sets in the 1880's including Chauncey DePew, James Blain, David Hill and Walter Q Gresham--all pictured in the N567 Newsboy Tobacco set among others. The 25 different subjects represent a number of states with New York (5) and Ohio (4) having the most subjects. The fronts of the cards have nice color busts of the subjects and the backs include a checklist of the cards and advertisement for Duke's popular Honest Long Cut brand.
This complete set of (25) N124 Duke Honest Long Cut Presidential Possibilities are largely in VG to VGEX condition with a few lesser cards. Four cards have some type of back issue with staining or writing or light paper loss. In addition to the set there is also an interesting companion piece that measures about 7" by 9" and pictures many of the candidates with the set name and has an adhesive back. We are not sure this companion piece is of the same vintage as the cards are but have not seen another piece like this one in the past. It gives the appearance of possibly being an outer container label that might be used on something that would hold multiple packages. It is in VGEX condition. Great set of these very popular cards that, with a very few upgrades, could be a nice VGEX midgrade set.
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