N79 Duke Tobaccos History of Poor Boys Near Set (41/50)

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2020

The N79 Duke Tobacco History of Poor Boys is another set of (50) sixteen page booklets. The booklets are similar in format to the Histories of Generals (N78) set issued in a similar time frame by Duke. The subjects in the Poor Boys do not exclusively feature 'boys' but do have a very few women subjects. Famous--and very popular--subjects in the series include William F Cody or "Buffalo" Bill, P.T. Barnum and Thomas Edison, among others. Typically, the two most valuable booklets in the series are John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain--both famous boxers. Other luminaries include Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe and a host of other people who went from rags to riches.

Condition breakdown on this near set of (41/50) booklets splits pretty evenly between a nicer group of VGEX to EX booklets and a lower grade of G to VG booklets. This represents an opportunity to pick up a near complete set of these that, with some upgrades and additions could be a beautiful set. The nine missing booklets include the following: Astor, Billings, Buffalo Bill, Carnegie, Longfellow, Sullivan, Tennyson, Twain and Wanamaker . Great issue from the most prolific issuer of tobacco cards in the 1880's and 1890's. One of the more interesting issues from Duke. Neither PSA nor SGC will grade these booklets in any condition.