R73 Goudey Indian Gum Near Set (199/216)

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2019

The 1933 Goudey Indian series is one of the quintessential dozen or so nonsports sets issued from the 1880's to 1970's. It's one of the more widely collected sets due to the variety of ways it can be collected. Although the set is entitled "Indian Gum", it pictures not only Indians, but settlers and well known Western figures as well. Many of the cards picture headshots of a single Indian while others picture action scenes of a number of people in frontier life. Popular subjects in the set include well known figures like Sitting Bull and Pocahantas, Daniel Boone, Davie Crockett, Jim Bridger, Colonel Bowie and others.

The set was apparently issued in series with multiples of (24) cards and printed on sheets in a similar manner. The set numbers 216 different numbers with many of the numbers having associated varieties. Within the sets, the most noticeable varieties are differences in card backs. The card backs generally say "This is a series of XXX cards". The different series associated with the set on the backs are 24, 48, 96, 192, 216, 264, 288 and 312. Different series are tougher than others and sometimes different cards within a series are tougher than other cards within that series. Although there are 216 different card numbers, a total of 432 different combinations can be found--some of which are very difficult and very expensive.

This near set (199/216) is missing the following numbers to be complete: 20, 27, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 154, 199 and 208. The following breakdown of of backs by series: 48 (67 cards), 96 (35 cards), 192 (25 cards), 216 (24 cards), 264 (24 cards) and 312 (24 cards). A card by card matrix is outlined in the chart below.

The condition breakdown is 28% EX, 38% VG to VGEX and 44% lesser. Many of the lesser condition cards look to be in the VG range but have a slight paper pull on the back, slightly more severe crease, heavier corner wear or some type of writing on the back.

All card fronts have been scanned for the auction.