1888-89 N173 Old Judge Cabinets

Tom Daly

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Issued by Goodwin & Co. at the same time as their cigarette cards known as N172 to hobbyists, Old Judge cabinets were large-format cards that could be ordered from the tobacco company as a premium in exchange for 20 coupons and 25 cents. Since the cards are essentially large-sized versions of the cards found in that N172 set, it has been theorized that every card from that set could be found in cabinet form; however, it is not known how many are actually out there. Completing a set through redeeming coupons would have required a considerable cash outlay and an awful lot of smoking.

Sometimes called "large size" Old Judge cards, the cabinets are a studio photograph placed onto a cardboard backing. In all, the cards measure 4 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches. Most feature an Old Judge ad at the bottom, but some are found that mention Dog's Head (another Goodwin cigarette, given to those smokers who sent in coupons from that brand) which are even scarcer.

1888-89 N173 Old Judge Cabinets

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