1939 R303-A Goudey

[Iron Horse]

Can anyone confirm as to where did one obtain these cards back in 1939. Did you buy the in the shops? Mail away for them?
Appreciate any feedback from the experts on this board.
Thanks,
Ruben

[rhettyeakley]

It was popular during the 1930-40's to be able to purchase a small piece of gum and then be able to pick a "premium" photo at the same time all for a penny or two. I imagine this was the way you obtained the R303-A and R303-B.
-Rhett

[Leon]

I am not sure about the R303s but I suspect it would be a giveaway or premium as Rhys mentioned. Some pictures could be had in return for a number of gum wrappers.

[Al C.risafulli]

What's interesting about the R303s is that the backs refer to a gum brand called "Diamond Stars Gum." As you may know, Goudey purchased the assets of the defunct National Chicle company in 1937, and National Chicle was the owner of the "Diamond Stars" brand.

There are very few examples of Goudey actually USING any of the Chicle assets that they purchased, but the R303s are one of them. In addition to the "Diamond Stars Gum" brand name (a "Diamond Stars Gum" wrapper was unearthed a few years ago), you'll notice that the backs borrow artwork from the 1937 Rabbit Maranville baseball tip booklets that were included in the second series packs of Batter Up cards. It's cool that they re-used the artwork from the Maranville set, as the Maranville booklets are pretty awesome.

The Diamond Stars Gum wrapper that I saw referred to the gum being manufactured by Goudey, which would mean it was available post-1937. Since Goudey made the Heads-Up cards (and gum) in 1938, and since it probably would have been tough to ramp up production of a new brand of gum in just one year, I suspect that the Diamond Stars Gum came out in 1939, and the R303s were premiums that were given away with purchases of the gum.

If anyone has a Diamond Stars gum box, I'd sure love to see what it looked like.

-Al

[Iron Horse]

Guess then as you purchased the gum product you would then have the opportunity to purchase the premium of your favorite player.
Thank you for the help.

[Matt]

I thought the CW was that R303As were Canadian only?

[rhettyeakley]

Matt the R303-A is a US set. The World Wide Gum version is smaller (physically) in size and are cataloged as V351. Very tough to find Ted Williams Rookie in the V351 set.

[zljones]

From my understanding you had to send in to receive the card. I do not know if there was a charge or if you just send a letter or gum wrappers. Judging by the rarity I do not think they were very popular, or in limited print.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

Matt the R303-A is a US set. The World Wide Gum version is smaller (physically) in size and are cataloged as V351. Very tough to find Ted Williams Rookie in the V351 set.

Ahh yes- thanks for the reminder. V351s are even tougher then the R303A.