Inaugural January 2019 Auction

All > Wrappers and Advertising

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/27/2019

No set typifies the 1930's gum card offerings of war, grit and strife more than the R69 Horrors of War set by Gum, Inc of Philadelphia. Issued in 1938, before the United States had entered WWII, the set was printed on sheets of 24 cards with 10 sheets making up the base low number offering. Two sheets or 48 cards made up the high number section for a total of 288 cards. The cards pictured all manner of unspeakable acts from the beginnings of WWII perpetrated by those who would be come the Axis powers of the war. The set was extremely popular as witnessed by an article about it in the May 6, 1938 edition of Life magazine which pictures artwork from a number of cards.

It is rare to find original artwork from these cards and even rarer to find original artwork from a seminal set like Horrors of War. This lot is for just such a piece of artwork. The original artwork for card #128 from the Horrors of War set. The card is titled "Chinese Universities Flee From War" and is nestled about midway through the low number series of 240 cards. It pictures a string of people being helped up a what appears to be a mountain while they're being protected by armed soldiers. It's just one of the cards picturing all the gruesome truths of war.

Interestingly, the artwork is the same size as the normal format card and blankbacked where it appears a layer of glue was once applied and the card was likely mounted in some type of book or story board maybe. The card was subsequently graded by PSA as "Authentic" and noted as original artwork of Charles Steinbacher. It is unknown whether this card was trimmed down to take this form or if it was originally this size. Regardless, it is well-protected, authenticated and its importance noted by PSA.

As a one of a kind item, condition is noted but is not the underlying determinant on the value. Other than the aforementioned glue on the back of the card, there is a rubbed spot in the lower left quadrant that removed the paint. In addition, some of the black ink lining the outside of the card has some interrupted spots in a number of areas. Overall, very presentable and easily identified as to it's final production match, this card is a one of a kind item.