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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

This is what I reported in my Old Cardboard article (from previous hobby discussion involving collectors who were kids in the 1930s)--

R313 and R314 were sent to stores and then given away by the storekeepers to customers who purchased packs of gum.

This in-store method of distribution probably explains why R313 and R314A are relatively plentiful, as opposed to sets that required the consumer to take the trouble of mailing in wrappers.
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At one point I wondered whether they might also have been mailed directly to the customers from the companies, but I concluded that if so, we would now have plenty of envelopes around, given how common the cards are. But I've never seen a single one.
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As far as the other sets are concerned, I can't offer much. My guess on R311 is that they were also given out directly to customers in the stores.

R312 I have no idea.