Does Pre-war mean pre-1939?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Rich Falvo

Right, which is why he said that 1939 cards are pre-war.

The OP says that he was told that cards had to be before 1939. That is not right. 1941 Play Ball has always been considered prewar.

The September 1939 date is an arbitrary one, based on England declaring war on Germany. The war had began in Asia with Japan invading Manchuria in 1931, followed by Italy invading Ethiopia in 1935, Japan invading China in 1937 and Germany annexing Austria in 1938. The war didn't become a true world war until Germany invaded Russia June 22, 1941 and Japan attacked Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. That is why I consider anything 1941 or before prewar.