1934 Butterfinger

[Koufax32fan]

I have become interested in this set and have bought a few (I posted the Gehrig in the thread about him). I have seen the ad variation as well, and those indicate that a baseball picture is free with a 5 cent Butterfinger candy bar. Does anyone know how these were actually distributed? These are so thin and susceptible to damage that I can't see how they would have been included with the candy bar. I have not seen any with creases from being folded. Did kids send in a wrapper for a free picture? Does anyone have an envelope in which these were mailed? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[K-Nole]

No idea, but I do know my good friend and GREAT online store owner Mickey has some nice ones.

http://sales.mickeyssportscards.com/...sport=Baseball

[tobychin]

I have a few of these cards and I have always thought they are undervalued. The photos are fantastic.

[Leon]

As some other series were probably given out, they probably would have been given out at time of purchase. Maybe the store owners had a stack next to the candy bars and with a purchase a kid took one (point of sale)? And some store owners obviously stamped the backs with their own advertising. This back stamped one is Melillow

[ethicsprof]

I've always loved these cards but they sure are fragile.
I have a ruth, Gehrig and a walter Johnson.

all the best in your collecting of these beauties,

barry

[x2drich2000]

Leon, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the advertisement pieces like the one you showed are a bit thicker and more sturdy while the regular ones are very thin paper almost to the point of being like newspaper.

DJ

[Koufax32fan]

Thanks for the great information. I had never thought that the store owner might have a stack of them behind the counter and hand them out. Some kid goes in and gets handed a Blondy Ryan and the kid just before him got the Babe (if they were in alphabetical order). Today, can you imagine a clerk at Walgreens, CVS or 7-Eleven handing out a premium when you buy a candy bar? If this is the case, I would assume that some grandkid of a candy store owner (think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) might have a stack of these hidden someplace.

Leon, while the TPGs might not like that stamp on the back of the Melillo, I think it adds character. I will be keeping my eyes out for others with stamps on the back.

I checked out Mickey's, but I already have all of those. I will post a WTB over on the BST.

[nolemmings]

I've always wondered about this too. Given how incredibly fragile these are --thinner than m101-2s for example, I find it hard to believe that kids could get them home. Eating chocolate bars in the summer in an era of no air conditioning, then carefully avoiding any chocolate smears or folds (they are seldom found folded) seems a stretch. I suppose the kids could plan on putting the premiums in a notebook carried to the store that would take the wear and tear, but kids are compulsive and likely would be playing or doing other things after leaving the store--who's gonna put much time into planning for and protecting paper thin, over-sized pictures when you just grab Goudey's D-Stars, etc.?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Leon, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the advertisement pieces like the one you showed are a bit thicker and more sturdy while the regular ones are very thin paper almost to the point of being like newspaper.

DJ

Correct, the ones with the red overprint on front are pasted onto heavier cardboard stock, with about a quarter inch border around the "card" itself. And yes, the regular ones are paper thin. I am only guessing at their distribution method. Hopefully we can find some definitive evidence as to their way of being handed out.