Does anyone here collect the 1939 Goudey R303 Premiums?

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Posted By: <b>neil b. downey</b><p>Hi Guys, Does anyone here collect the 1939 Goudey R303 Premiums? I came across these a few weeks ago and I found them to be pretty interesting. The black and white versions are really cool looking. Almost like ghosts if you ask me. I like the browntone ones also but the redtone don't thrill me. Anyone here have any info on how rare these are and what grading problems they have? They look nice in PSA holders but incredible in SGC holders. Posts with scans are welcome also. Neil

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>Hi Neil:<br /><br />I collect them. I like the R303Bs, mostly because they're much less scarce than the R303As. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />The R303B set is also smaller, numbers-wise.<br /><br />I agree that they're gorgeous cards. I have a bunch at SGC now. <br /><br />In terms of grading problems, they are on VERY light stock, so they're subject to corner issues. They also often have pinholes, so look closely - and also look at the backs, because sometimes they have scrapbook damage. Essentially, if you can find these in EX or better, you're in pretty good shape.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, it is on the R303s that you can see the only evidence of Goudey's 1937 purchase of the assets of National Chicle. The backs of the R303s use the artwork from the 1936 National Chicle R344 Rabbit Maranville "How To" booklets. These booklets were initially included in the high number series of Batter Up cards.<br /><br />One thing that's very interesting - I don't think anyone has conclusively figured out what the R303s were premiums FOR. There are, to my knowledge, no advertising pieces that indicate what you'd need to redeem in order to receive a picture. Part of me, however, likes to think that they were used as premiums for 1938 Goudey Heads Up wrappers. But I only like to think that because I love 1938 Goudeys. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>Steve Dawson</b><p>I just picked this one up last month on ebay. I'd never even heard of it until recently!<br /><br /><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/steved80/1939GoudeyTedWilliams2.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><br />Steve

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Posted By: <b>neil b. downey</b><p>That was great info. I'm not surprised that you choose SGC to holder them. I have always been a PSA guy but those bigger SGC holders are magic. I saw that Ted Williams also. It's from the tougher browntone version I believe. Good start to a really cool collectable. If anyone has any extras, I'd be thrilled to get in a few. Neil

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Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>Very cool looking cards (nice Ted Williams).<br /><br />I wish they had a calendar on the back though <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />