Atlantic Gasoline Sports Ink Blotters Set and Checklist

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Atlantic Gasoline Sports Ink Blotters
Year	1930s
Size	2 7/8″ x 6″
Images	Color
Type	Blotter
Number in Set	6 (?)

Atlantic Gasoline Sports Ink Blotters Overview

Atlantic Gasoline Tennis Ink Blotter This set of sports-related blotters was issued by Atlantic Gasoline. That company produced many other non-sports blotters but these are all related to sports. And because they all have the same general design, it is clear that they belong to the same set.

The blotters feature color artwork on the fronts along with the Atlantic Gasoline name in large block lettering either at the top or bottom. The artwork was done by McClelland Barclay, a famous illustrator. Barclay would join the U.S. Navy in 1938 and was lost at sea during World War II. His name is printed on each blotter in small type.

In addition to the Atlantic name, each blotter includes a one or two-word statement. Those words all somewhat tied to the sport/picture as well as the gasoline name. For example, the word ‘Stamina’ is used on a blotter depicting a swimmer. ‘Balance’ is used for a diver.

Most of the sports in the set are relatively minor ones by collector standards. However, one shown here featuring tennis somewhat sought after.

Dating the Set

The exact year of issue of the set is not entirely known. However, Barclay’s life gives us some clues.

He died in 1943 so unless his work was used posthumously for the set, it would have been produced before then. Further, Barclay was in the Navy from 1938 through 1943 and while he did continue some artwork in those years, most of his work came in the 1920s and 1930s.

The set is commonly referred to as a 1930s series, which seems about right.