Auction #11 - June 2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2022
The George Milkes company issued a few sets of cards during the hey day of the "R" gum period of the late 1930's to 1940's. With issues like the R87 Make faces and R88 Matchem, Milkes took small diminuitive cards--typically 1" x 2" or smaller--to craft a puzzle when a number of these cards were arranged in the correct manner. The R179 George Milkes U-Match-Em was one such card set featuring puzzle pieces. Unlike some of the earlier series like R87 and R88, each puzzle piece in the R179 U-Match-Em puzzle pieces set could be placed only one way to complete the puzzle.
Twelve puzzle pieces were required to complete the puzzle and the puzzle contained in this lot is the puzzle that Burdick and others outlined when cataloging the issue. The individual cards are slightly more diminutive than are the R87 and R88 cards at 3/4" x 1-1/2" and the twelve cards are arranged vertically or horizontally to make the picture. The picture in this puzzle is that of a GI holding a giant frying pan over a fire with the WWII Axis powers of Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Emperor Hirohito (Japan). Within the fire is the swastika which became synonymous with the atrocities that Adolph Hitler unleased on the world in general and on the Jewish people in particular.
Although now somewhat of a controversial subject, anything picturing Hitler is sometimes shunned. It is, however, an important part of the early mid-20th century life and a reminder on just what can happen when someone rules with complete control. All three of these subjects were, and are, some of the most infamous world leaders in history. The three are in the frying pan, obviously heating up with the flames burning high to meet the pan. The G.I. holding the pan is smiling. The Axis powers are done in characteristically comic looks with Emperor Hirohito holding a long dagger. The title on the top of the puzzle is "Keep 'Em Frying".
The twelve puzzle pieces in this lot are in overall VG to EX condition. Three of them have some light creasing but the cards are remarkably intact and the color on the front is vibrant and the red-printed backs are clean. To find a single puzzle piece from any of the U-Match-Em puzzles is a feat but to find a complete, 12 card series--especially one of the historical importance of the puzzle in this lot--likely can't be duplicated. This marks an opportunity to knock off an impossible type card from one of the tougher "R"-era candy companies and, at the same time, complete what arguably may well be the toughest set in the "R"-era candy. A reserve has been placed on this lot that will become visible when achieved.
R179 Milkes U-Match-Em Complete Puzzle set of (12) IMPOSSIBLE Cards picturing Hitler and Axis Powers
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