1948 Hocus Focus
 

I recently inherited a set of 1948 Hocus Focus cards (not full 126 set) and I am trying to access it's value.

I have
19/19 Baseball Hall of Fame
9/9 Famous Landmarks
13/13 All American Football
5/71 Football Thrills.
16/24 Boxing Champions
16/41 Movie Stars

One 1948 Hocus Focus Magic Photo gum wrapper that details that you can send 10 cents to Bubbles, Inc P.O Box 20, Madison Square Station, New York 8, N.Y to redeem your Photo Album.

Only concern that I have is that the left hand 1-3 cm of each card is taped into the album. The album is an authentic Native American leather autograph/photograph 'binder' if you will.

You have some 1948-49 Topps Magic Photo cards (often confused with the later Hocus Focus issue). The value is in the baseball subset mostly but you describe damage to the cards. Ruth would be maybe a $40-$50 card in "Good" condition, the other HOF'ers somewhat less. The MP cards are pretty easy to come by but wrappers not so much, especially the larger one (penny and nickel packs were sold). Any chance of a wrapper scan being posted?

More details here on my ongoing vintage Topps blog if you want additional background:

http://toppsarchives.blogspot.com/se...Magic%20Photos

I don't have a scanner at the moment, however I plan to buy a printer/scanner/copier soon. When I do, I will scan them all in.

Cards I have.
My Connie Mack does not visibly show the name on the front of the card either.

Football Thrills
Barney Pooll (SOLD), Pete Elliott, Doak Walker (2), Bill Swiacki, Bill Fischer (2), Johnny Lujack, Chas P. Bednerik (miss spelled on Card) Actual spelling is Bednarik making it more valuable, Joe Steffy, George Connor, Steve Suhey, Bob Chappuis, Columbia 23 vs. Navy 14, Army-Notre Dame, Northwestern, Wally Triplett( SOLD), Gil Stephenson (SOLD), Yale Bulldogs vs Columbia Lions, Cornell (SOLD),

Boxing Champions
Tommy Burns, John L Sullivan, James Corbitt, Boo Fitzsimmons, James J Jeffries, Johnson, Jess Willard, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Max Schmelling, Jack Sharkey, Primo Carnera, Max Baer, James J Braddock, Joe Louis, Gus Lesnevich,

Baseball Hall of Fame
William Bendix the Babe Ruth Story, Lou Boudreau, Cleveland Indians, Bob Elliott, Cleveland Indians 4-3, Cleveland Indians 4-1 Lou Boudreau Scoring, "Babe" Ruth 714, Tris Speaker 793, Roger Hornsby, Connie Mack, Christy Mathewson, Hans Wagner, Grover Alexander, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, George Sisler 257, Tinker and Evers, Third Base Cleveland Indians,

Famous Landmarks
Empire State 110 Stories, Statue of Liberty Bedloe's Island, Geyser Yellowstone National Park, Lincoln Memorial, Sphinx, Niagra falls, Washington Monument 555' 1/8 inch (or something)

Movie Stars
Arthur Lake Sixteen Fathoms Deep, June Allyson, Rod Cameron, someone Johnson, Joe Kirkwood Starred in "The Big Fight", Elyse Knox featured in Winner Take All, Roddy McDowall starred in Kidnapped, Leo Gorcey starred in Fighting Fools, Rory Calhoun, Mack Brown starred in Sudden Danger, Costance Bennett starred in Smart Woman, James Gleason, Jimmy Wakely starred in Gun Runner, William Frawley, Eve Arden, Gilbert Roland.

Wrapper is Magic Photo, Hocus Bubble Gum
Dip card in water. Then rub blank side gently with this wrapper. Wet and rub until Magic Photo appears clear and bright.

SAVE MAGIC PHOTOS

For a complete Photo Album with space for 126 photos, send 10c to
Bubbles, Inc
P.O. Box 20; Madison Square Station, New York 8, N.Y.

Card photos
 

Album
Attachment 28453

Football
Attachment 28454

Baseball
Attachment 28455

Landmarks and Movie Stars
Attachment 28456

Boxing
Attachment 28457

Original Wrapper
 

Original Wrapper Front
Attachment 28458

Original Wrapper Back
Attachment 28459

1948 Magic Photo Baseball Subset
 

I have the baseball subset, for which the SCD Standard Catalog lists 19 subjects. I added the Bendix/Ruth card which you show above, even though it is considered a entertainment card and not listed in the baseball set. The regular album has a little magician on the front as pictured in Dave's blog site from above.

Dave---Do you know who has the 6 card strip ?

No clue Al-I think I found the scan after the auction ended. I am searching my files this weekend for more details on the set, especially the back variations so maybe I'll find another reference or two with additional scans.

Magic Photo Back Variations
 

Dave---whatever you find out....don't tell me about it ;)

heh-don't you like new challenges?!