R-Cards (Candy/Gum)
Introduction
R-Cards are additional candy and gum issues not designated as E-Cards. In general, these are the more recent of the candy and gum cards.
Jefferson Burdick indirectly classified these as issues from 1933 and later. Earlier issues carried the E-Card designation but some issues, such as the 1929 Kashin baseball set (R316) don’t follow that identification – likely because he was unaware of the exact year of issue.
The R-Card designation is not one that has caught on all that much. When collectors refer to these sets below, most times they simply use their product name (i.e. Goudey sets, Play Ball set, Sport Kings, etc.).
Gum cards are largely known for their different size from earlier tobacco and caramel cards. Instead of a smaller rectangular shape, the most popular gum cards such as the Goudey cards are significantly larger and shaped more like a square. They aren’t quite as big as the standard 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ cards of today but they are much closer to that than earlier cards. Most gum cards are also printed on thicker card stock than earlier issues and are a bit more durable.
Finally, R-Cards also include several photo premiums. These aren’t your standard trading card and most are printed on thinner paper stock but they are also cataloged as R-Cards in the American Card Catalog.
Sets
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