Last pre-WWII set....let's see some 1941 Play Ball cards & stuff

[tedzan]

The BOWMAN Gum Co. (GUM, Inc.) issued these colorful BB cards from 1941 and into early 1942. Upon the advent of WWII, GUM, Inc. switched
to producing a colorful set of 132 cards depicting the war. The last card in this set depicts the Battle of Stalingrad (Aug 1942-Feb 1943).

Correct me if there are others, but I think this is the only major BB card set that features Joe, Dom, and Vince DiMaggio







The 1941 Play Ball set consists of 72 cards which includes 15 - HOFer's....making it one of the higher ratios of HOFers/cards in any major issue BB card set.


TED Z

[tedzan]

The 1941 Play Ball cards were available in 4 different colored 1-cent packs, whose wrappers were.....Green.....Orange.....Red.....and, a rare Yellow.

Produced in Philadelphia, BLONY Bubble gum was the leading brand of bubble gum nationwide by the mid-1930's with sales over a $1 Million. In 1948,
the name was changed to BOWMAN Bubble gum (after the founder of this gum company...... J. Warren Bowman). The tasty flavor and the ability to
blow large bubbles stayed the same.






TED Z

[tedzan]

I don't quite understand why there is little interest on this forum for 1940's (and 1930's) GUM cards ? ?

Especially 1941....it was a very exciting year in BB....a hitting record was set that year that I think will never
be broken.....plus, Ted W dramatically raised his BA to.406 in a Double-header on the last day of the season.

Whatever.....here are five HOFer's in my Play Ball set.






TED Z

[Leon]

Hey Ted
Not sure but the early 40s cards just haven't ever garnered quite the love of many of the other earlier and later sets. Here is a wartime thin sheet of 1941s....

1943 R302-1 M. P. & Co. and the 41 Play Ball of course

[glynparson]

When this beautiful set was actually VERY popular, at least in PSA graded condition. I think when nice and bright with good eye appeal these cards are gorgeous. It is still one of my personal favorites.

[Kenny Cole]

Here are a few of mine. Sorry for the lousy scans.

[MikeGarcia]

That FOXX in any condition is classic gorgeous . Thanks for posting him.

[Wildfireschulte]

Everyone has a "nickname" on this set. Here is "The Horse" and "Hot Potato"

[E93]

JimB

[Kawika]

Here's my set. May not show up if you use Safari but seems fine with Firefox.

[steve_a]

Nice David. Really wish someone would fill the MJRoop void and produce set specific archival binders.

[Griffins]

I"m about 60% of the way thru an uncut set of '41's. Love the design.
Here's the first part I had framed

[tedzan]

Hey guys

Some great stuff....I knew there were some '41 Play Ball collectors on this forum......thanks guys

David....very impressive display of your set and related stuff.

Anthony....I love those uncut sheets and panels you posted.


Speaking about the 1941 season, it was the start of the NYC "Subway Series". The Dodgers and Yankees would go on to play some really thrilling World
Series (1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955 and 1956).

The 1941 World Series had an interesting event in the 4th game. In the top of 9th inning the Dodgers were set to win the game with 2 Outs & 2 Strikes
on Tommy Henrich. Hugh Casey pitched a curve that Tommy swung and missed. The ball got away from catcher Mickey Owen. Tommy got to 1st base.
Joe DiMaggio followed with a single, Charlie Keller hit a double to drive in Henrich and DiMaggio. Bill Dickey Walked....then Joe Gordon doubled to drive in
Keller and Dickey. Yankees won 7–4.

In the 5th game Tommy hit a HR to help the Yankees win the World Series.







TED Z

[GasHouseGang]

I only have this one. Sorry the scan is sort of off.

[bn2cardz]

There are cards with the 1941 copywrite, and some with out this. I also know there are the thin sheets that would have been produced later. So my question is how many years is it believed that this set was actually produced?

[tedzan]

Cards #1 - 48 are found with and without the "1941" date on the backs of these cards.

The 2nd series (cards #49 - 72) were not printed with the "1941" date.

All 72 cards were printed and issued in 1941. But, in some areas in the country, at least the Hi #s,
were still available in stores in early 1942.


TED Z

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Cards #1 - 48 are found with and without the "1941" date on the backs of these cards.

The 2nd series (cards #49 - 72) were not printed with the "1941" date.

All 72 cards were printed and issued in 1941. But, in some areas in the country, at least the Hi #s,
were still available in stores in early 1942.


TED Z

Where the paper ones still printed in 1941? Or were they introduced early in 1942?

Also if only the first series don't have a copy write year is it possible that these were the first printing?

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Here's my set. May not show up if you use Safari but seems fine with Firefox.

Interesting. You changed this thread's background to orange (using Chrome).

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Interesting. You changed this thread's background to orange (using Chrome).

Yeah. I noticed that. Wasn't intentional. Just one of those computer things. If it's problematic for anyone LMK and I'll delete my post.

[tedzan]

Please do not delete your post....I certainly appreciate it.

On my computer, the orange border goes away now that I've advanced this thread to Post #21


TED Z

[triwak]

My 1941 Playball HOFers, along with a few other very late WWII cards. BTW, Mickey Owen later became the sheriff of my fair city (Springfield, MO), during the 1960s-70s, and even opened a little league park, which ran for many years. Played there myself. That World Series boner play that he made, was always the stuff of legend around here!

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Please do not delete your post....I certainly appreciate it.

On my computer, the orange border goes away now that I've advanced this thread to Post #21


TED Z

nope it would have to get to 81 posts for me as I chose to not only look at 20 posts per page.

[Kawika]

Ted's thread, Ted's rules.
ETA: Just changed the background color on my ImageEvent page. Orange border go bye-bye now.

[bn2cardz]

Well before I diverted the thread with the little acknowledgement of the color change (it really didn't bother me, just found it interesting) I had asked another set of questions:

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Where the paper ones still printed in 1941? Or were they introduced early in 1942?

Also if only the first series don't have a copy write year is it possible that these were the first printing?

[bigfanNY]

Was my understanding that each sheet was a store display issued with each of the first two series in 1941. My Dad collected a complete set (He was 10 in 41) and says he remembers the sheets. I have it tucked away exactly like Dave in a Roop binder (mine is red) with an UD set in the back.