1930s Cloetta / Cloetta Ross Sets

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Cloetta / Cloetta Ross
Year	1930s
Size	1 1/16″ x 1 15/16″
Images	Black and White
Type	Gum/Candy
Number in Set	172 (?) in each set

1930s Cloetta / Cloetta Ross Set Overview

These sets are releases from a Swedish candy company sometime around 1930. Dating seems to be somewhat up in the air. PSA has graded these cards as 1930 issues while SGC has graded them as 1930, 1930s, and 1932. Sellers advertising these cards have most often used anything from 1930 through 1932.

These small cards feature black and white images of athletes as part of a multi-sport set. Cards are commonly listed as being 1″ x 2″ but the measurements are a tad off from that. The cards are unique looking with a black and white picture at the top and a full-bleed white border area at the bottom with the athlete’s name. A card number is also printed on them and the back includes an advertisement for Cloetta.

Cards found in the series’ cover a multitude of sports, including hockey, boxing, tennis, track and field, soccer, wrestling, and others. Boxing greats Jack Dempsey, Max Schmeling, and Gene Tunney, are among the keys to the set.

Of importance, though, to tennis collectors is the recognized rookie card for Hall of Famer Fred Perry. Other tennis standouts include Hall of Famers Helen Wills, Rene Lacoste, and Henri Cochet. In addition, some athletes are featured more than once. Additionally, at least two hockey cards are in the set featuring Birger Wejdeby and a team. Technically, the cards feature the sport of bandy, which is similar to ice hockey. Finally, swimming great Johnny Weismuller is found in the set, too.

A final note on the Cloetta cards is that Cloetta also produced a similar-looking but different set consisting of movie stars/non-sports subjects.

Cloetta vs. Cloetta Ross Cards

The cards are called both Cloetta and Cloetta Ross as there are actually two different sets. This, as you can imagine, has caused a great deal of confusion.

Part of the confusion stems from the fact that one type is very rare. The stock varies slightly between the two but the easiest way to tell them apart is on the front. Most cards have a card number and the ‘Ross’ name beneath it. However, some merely have the number with no ‘Ross.’ As a result, one set is referred to as Cloetta and the other is Cloetta Ross.

Here is an example with cards pictured featuring runner Paavo Nurmi. As you can see, the pictures are the same. However, the card numbers, and their subsequent placement, are different. As stated, when trying to determine which of the two cards you are viewing, always look for the ‘Ross’ name. The card on the left is from the Cloetta Ross set while the one on the right, which does not have that information, is simply a ‘Cloetta’ card.

Cards without the Ross are much rarer.

Here’s a closer look at the two different types.

1930s Cloetta / Cloetta Ross Sets Checklist

PSA notes there are 172 total cards in the sets but I have not been able to confirm that. There appear to be about that many at least, though, as they have graded a card as high as 169.

Checklisting efforts for these sets can be dizzying as not all collectors attempting to checklist it are aware that there are two different issues.

Below are the cards I have seen or have had verified for each set.

Cloetta ‘Ross’ set