Mastro offered this incredible uncut sheet of 1/4 of the complete set of 1933 Goudey World War Gum cards in their November 2000 catalog; Heritage Auctions recently re-sold the sheet for $492 in October 2024.
Here’s Mastro’s complete item description:
Offered is an uncut sheet of “World War Gum’ another of the classic propaganda sets of the 1930’s. This one is a Goudey product, employing black-and-white photographs with succinct captions and orange borders to convey its military messages. It is no ordinary group of R174’s, however, this is a full sheet of 24 images (1/4 of a complete set) that were apparently used in the late proof stages of the series’ design. Twenty-four cards are presented here in a 4″ x 6″ layout, on a blank-backed card stock sheet. Other features of this specialprinting are exceptionally-vivid reddish-colored card edges and the presence of a striking depth to the subject photography. The sheet has a large (greater than one inch) selvage area upon which cutting proportions and manufacturer numbering appears. Small punch-holes at the north and south positions were, evidently, a means to secure the sheet for handiwork, or to verify alignment. Technically-figured grading places conditionof the 14″ x 16-3/4” sheet at Excellent, with three distinct edge faults that do not affect the card designs. If the item were framed and matted to present the center subjects, the result would be a crisp Near Mint to Mint appearance. This is a one-of-a-kind mid-production piece that reflects cartophilic history as well as visual splendor.
Heritage didn’t add much to their description, saying:
1933 R174 Goudey “World War Gum” Uncut Proof Sheet. This uncut proof sheet of 24 blank back cards from the 1933 R174 Goudey “World War Gum” series is a remarkable piece of historical memorabilia. Featuring black and white photos of scenes from World War I, the sheet offers a unique glimpse into the past, reflecting the cultural impact of the war and the era’s collectible cards. The presence of holes at the top and bottom, used by Goudey for holding the sheets in place, adds authenticity, making it a prized item ready for framing and display. Measures 14″ x 16 13/16.”
But Heritage did include a scan of the back.
