Circa 1936 National Chicle "National Stamp Club" Original Wax Box with 52 Unopened Packs

Sold For:

$1,410

Year:

1936

Auction:

2009 Spring

Lot #:

1537

Category:

Unopened Packs and Boxes

Extremely unusual nonsport display box issued by the National Chicle Co., entitled "National Stamp Club Chewing Gum," circa 1936, with fifty-two original unopened one-cent wax packs. This box originally held 100 one-cent wax packs. The fifty-two packs have been stored untouched in the original display box since the 1930s. As noted on the box and on each wrapper, there is "a foreign postage stamp in every package." This product treats stamps as "little cards." The reason was not to save money. While it was certainly more economical for National Chicle to include stamps in gum packs rather than elaborately produced trading cards, the fact is that stamp collecting was extremely popular among both youngsters and adults in this era, and National Chicle was responding to that great national interest. Packs are all unopened, in the original display box, in essentially perfect condition, with only normal packing and storage wear. (Sometimes in the manufacturer's packaging process a pack can have a tiny corner tear or minor imperfection.) The display box has various imperfections (pieces missing and tape on the lid and side panels split on three corners) but has tremendous display value. It is unprecedented to find complete or near-complete boxes of any National Chicle products in original unopened form. Reserve $400. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $1,410