Cracker Jack, Caramel, and More Treats in REA’s October Auction
Trick or Treat: Candy and Gum Cards Lead October Pre-War Offerings
Cracker Jack, caramels, and gum may not be the highlight of today’s kids’ Halloween haul, but these items are proudly featured in the REA October Auction. The event delivers them in the form of E145 Cracker Jacks, a magnificent E121 American Caramel Babe Ruth, and two of the most recognizable 1933 Goudey Gum cards.
“Cracker Jack” entered into the search bar in the auction site reveals more than forty examples of the distinctive red cards. While the bidding stands under $200 for many, there are a few that will be among the auction’s top earners when bidding concludes on Sunday, October 19th.
1915 E145 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson
This stunning example of the legendary Joe Jackson from the 1915 Cracker Jack set is currently the auction’s highest priced item. “Shoeless Joe” is one of the big three key cards in the set, along with Cobb and Wagner. The offered card boasts an extremely bold red background, perfect registration, and minor corner wear. Boldly printed reverse. The card displays light rippling, and there are a few caramel stains front and back. The card certainly presents at a level far better than suggested by its VG-EX+ grade and may represent an exceptional value and offer a particularly rare opportunity. This is an extraordinary example of one of card collecting’s most classic and popular cards in an extremely desirable grade.
1914 E145 Cracker Jack #68 Honus Wagner SGC VG 3
The “Flying Dutchman” is one of the big four key cards in the set, along with Cobb, Mathewson, and Jackson. This well-centered card has an extremely bold red background, outstanding registration, and moderate corner wear. Bright and clean, both front and back, with faint hints of caramel staining (which is usually found on #144 series cards). The 1914 Cracker Jacks, of course, are far rarer to find in high grade than their 1915 counterparts, because the 1914 #144 series cards were issued only in boxes of Cracker Jack. This card would be a highlight addition to any collection of Cracker Jack, Honus Wagner, or vintage Hall of Fame cards.
1921 E121 American Caramel (Series of 80) “Babe” Ruth
This is one of the premier early Ruth cards and one of the very few dating from the early 1920s. One of several different cards of Ruth in the E121 set, this is one of the all-time classic Ruth cards. Referred to on checklists as the Babe Ruth “Babe” variation, this popular card features Ruth in a full-length throwing pose. It is interesting to note that the young but already very celebrated Ruth is pictured on this card in a Boston uniform, though he is appropriately identified below as a member of the New York Americans. “Boston” (mostly covered by Ruth’s throwing arm) can be clearly seen across Ruth’s chest upon close examination. In fact, this photograph is the same image that was used on Ruth’s 1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy candy card. Apparently, the American Caramel Company was going to print and did not have the time to pursue an updated image of Ruth with his new team. This is a tremendous example of this classic Babe Ruth card worthy of any advanced Babe Ruth or prewar-card collection.
1933 R319 Goudey #160 Lou Gehrig
From Cracker Jack to caramel to gum – this outstanding mid-grade example of one of the most popular of all Lou Gehrig
cards and one of the classic 1930s bubble-gum cards. This card’s reverse notes that Gehrig hadn’t led the league in hitting but finished in the top five, five time, on his way to two AL MVP Awards. It also mentions that he “moves the weights” at 200 pounds, an interesting turn of phrase for the era.
1933 R319 Goudey #127 Mel Ott
Graded NM-MT 8, this stunning example of New York Giants Hall of Famer Mel Ott from the 1933 Goudey set ranks in the top 4% of all examples evaluated by PSA. This is an outstanding example of one of the most popular Hall of Famers of the 1930s, and one that would be a significant addition to a world-class 1933 Goudey PSA Registry set or Hall of Fame collection.
Whatever your preferred pre-war treat, head over to the REA October Auction before bidding closes Sunday, October 19th.