168. “Horrors of War” Trading Card Collection. The 1938 Horrors of War is one of the most famous trading card sets of all time. They were produced by Philadelphia-based Gum Inc., which later became Bowman. Bubble-gum was a new craze among the nation’s youth in the 1930s and card companies offered a stick of gum packaged in wax packs of cards. The Horrors of War cards were controversial from their first release and remain today the most famous and valuable of all non-sport sets. Several years ago a complete set in overall near-mint to mint condition sold for over $700,000. The cards depict graphic and unspeakable scenes of horror associated with the wars and conflicts going on in the world during this time frame. These include scenes from the brutal Japanese invasion of China, the Spanish Civil War, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Russian and Japanese conflict in Manchuria and Germany's annexation of the Sudentenland from Czechoslovakia in 1938 that was the beginning of World War II in Europe. Gum, Inc. became like a news organization and hired a staff of artists (George Moll Agency), designers, copywriters, and researchers who reported on these conflicts as journalists and presented factual reporting on the backs of the cards. The company's slogan, “To know the HORRORS OF WAR is to want PEACE”, was printed on the back of each card. President Franklin D. Roosevelt referenced these cards to explain the horror of what actually went on in war-ravished countries and some Senator’s resented his “bubblegum diplomacy.” Life magazine also featured this card set in their 9 May 1938 issue (a copy of this issue is included with the lot). The cards offered in this lot are in very good condition considering they are now 77 years old.

This lot features 196 cards (out of the total issue of 288). 111 of the 196 cards being offered are encapsulated and graded by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), the gold standard and #1 third-party authenticator in the world for card grading. Of these, there are (40) “high grade” cards: (1) card is PSA 9 or mint condition; (10) cards are PSA 8 or near mint-mint; and (29) are PSA 7 or near-mint. The balance of the graded cards are mostly PSA 6 or Excellent. The ungraded cards are mostly clean in both fronts and backs. Specific card highlights include: card #1 Marco Polo Bridge, first skirmish between the Japanese and Chinese – a very rare card to find in any condition; #88 Human Hands and #99 Ghoulish Dogs are 2 of the most famous cards; #283 Hitler Threatens and #286 Chamberlain meets Hitler are 2 of the 3 Hitler cards in the set and are highly sought after by collectors who don’t even collect this set. Also included are (7) rare promotional cards which were randomly placed in packs, that were either printed at the factory or hand-stamped (rarer) offering either a “Free” pack of cards or a chance to win one of “1000 cash prizes to the 1000 children who send us the neatest lists of 240 correct titles.” $8,000 - $12,000

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

After payment has been made in full, Profiles in History may, as a service to buyers, arrange to have property packed, insured and shipped at your request and expense. For shipping information, please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. In circumstances in which Profiles in History arranges and bills for such services via invoice or credit card, we will also include an administration charge. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges from Profiles in History's offices in Calabasas, CA to the buyer's door. If items are of unusual size and/or weight, they will require special handling and will incur an additional shipping premium as charged by the carrier. Please see Terms & Conditions of Sale.

by Profiles in History
June 11, 2015 11:00 AM PDT
26662 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA, US 91302

Profiles in History

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $249,999 $10,000
$250,000 + $25,000