R-309 or R340? I need help with a Ruth and Tilden

[GasHouseGang]

I found a blog about the offer of the R340's. On the side panels of the 1933 Sport Kings wrapper they encourage 1930s youngsters to send away for one of eight “Photographic Prints” that measure 9″ x 5 1/2.” The offer on the Sport Kings wrapper tells youngsters to save 50 wrappers and mail them to Goudey’s offices in Boston. The wrapper lists the options as Jack Dempsey (#1), Babe Ruth (#2), Gene Sarazen (#3), Bill Tilden (#4), Jim Londos (#5), Red Grange (#6), Johnny Weismuller (#7) and Howie Morenz (#8).

[JeremyW]

Found this on "Pre-War Cards" website.

Like the R309-1 set, these photos included black and white images of athletes. The photos are produced on cardboard and include a cardboard easel on the back to allow it to stand up. The easels for the two series are slightly different. Ones in the R309-1 set have a rounded top while the R340 series has a flat top.

[Baseball Rarities]

The Tilden is an R340 Goudey Sport Kings Premium. Yours is the first Tilden that I have heard of. There is also a known Weissmuller along with one that pictures Jack Demosey along with two other boxers. I do not have an image of the Dempsey in front of me, but it is owned by a board member, so hopefully he will chime in.

Great find.

[GasHouseGang]

These can't be R340s. Here is the R340 offered by REA. Notice the green trim and Ruth's name is also printed in a green nameplate as opposed to gold.

[Baseball Rarities]

The Tilden is definitely an R340.

I think that REA misidentified the Ruth with the green border. That appears to be some sort of proof card.

[JeremyW]

The Ruth is a standard R-309, right?

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by JeremyW

The Ruth is a standard R-309, right?

Not sure how to tell the difference.

[Paul Koz]

the ruth and tilden were found together..leads me to think Dad got them at the same time as a kid

[GasHouseGang]

Maybe you're right. The size listed on the Sport Kings wrapper coincides with the size he lists for the Ruth and Tilden (9" x 5 1/2").

[Paul Koz]

thankyou all for your input on these cards.I found them in a box of my father's childhood items . He was born in 1923 and i have personally had them since 1990 along with his 33 and 34 Goudeys, batters up, indian chewing gum, diamond stars..i am thinking i need to send them to be graded? PSA? Becketts?.....i am not a collector, but have a collection...lol.... been doing alot of researching and found this forum and joined it. I truly appreciate all your knowledge and insight...

[Baseball Rarities]

Here are better pics of the Weissmuller.

[Paul Koz]

pics are awesome of Weismueller...noticed the rounded top to the easel and no green border....should i send to PSA?

[Exhibitman]

Much of the information above is not accurate. The most up-to-date answers are here:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ings-premiums/

The Tilden is a unicorn. Fantastic find. Here's Dempsey:



The Ruth is a proof; the dimensions are wrong for the shipping envelope, which came with my card.

SGC does a nice job slabbing these; I used to own a Ruth in an SGC slab.

[Webster]

Great information in that article.

Given the matching size, does that make them the only known Tilden AND the only know Ruth R340s?