Checklist (Southern League Subjects)

 

The southern league group was a supplemental set of 48 subjects representing four prominent minor-league associations in the South. This group was printed and distributed in addition to the major-league subjects of the 150 and 350 Series. Though printed during the production of group 1, the southern league subjects were printed separately and in some cases distributed and marketed separately.

 

The first printing and distribution of the southern league group was with Hindu brand cigarettes beginning in August 1909. Though advertisements indicate that all 48 subjects were to be produced at this time, only 34 were printed due to a short production run and printing limitations. Per the Hindu advertisements, these southern league subjects were packaged and distributed separately from the major-league subjects of the 150 Series.

 

After the Hindu campaign, the 150 Series concluded and the 350 Series began. During the first printings of the 350 Series, the complete southern league group of 48 subjects were printed with Old Mill and Piedmont brand backs. The Old Mill (Southern Leagues) back advertisement was designed and printed specifically for use with this group and was applied only to sheets with these subjects. This is evidence that the 48 southern league subjects were printed on sheets composed of only southern league subjects. These preprinted front sheets had either the Old Mill (SL) or Piedmont 350 backs applied. After these early 350 Series printings, the southern league print group was discontinued.

 

Old Mill (Southern Leagues) - Brown

After the Hindu back printing and prior to the Old Mill (Southern Leagues) printing, several test sheets were run for the upcoming Old Mill (SL) offering using the Hindu brown ink. The sheets used for this test were the original 34 southern league subjects issued during the Hindu printing. These cards essentially were printers scrap and never factory cut or distributed in packages.