1933 PX3 Double Header Coins Complete Set (43) with Rare Promotional Photo

Sold For:

$3,300

Year:

1933

Auction:

2016 Spring

Lot #:

850

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1930s and 1940s Cards

Complete set of forty-three 1933 PX3 Double Header coins, issued by Gum, Inc., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, plus extremely rare (in our opinion, almost certainly unique) promotional Gum, Inc. advertising photograph. The Double Header coins are very similar in appearance to pins but are actually metal discs of various colors that feature portraits of ballplayers. Displayed below each player's image and printed name is either the number "1" or "2," and the original wrapper advised kids to put discs numbered "1" and "2" together to make a "Doubleheader." The fourteen Hall of Fame players featured in the set are Foxx, Wilson, Simmons, Rice, Lopez, Goslin, Gehringer, Frisch, Cochrane, Averill, Cronin, Klein, Lyons, and Bottomley. The condition of the coins is 27% Nr-Mt to Mt, 49% Ex to Ex-Mt, 20% Vg to Vg-Ex, and 4% lesser. These are in extremely high grade for this issue, as they are so easily scratched or dented or otherwise damaged, as the litho images on each disc are actually printed right on the metal (as opposed to being printed on paper and protected under celluliod, as is the case with celluloid pins). Accompanying the coins is the rare promotional photograph produced by Gum, Inc., that pictures the original retail box, filled with packages of Double Header coins, as well as an opened wrapper and four individual coins. The photo (10 x 8 inches, Ex), which is mounted to a cardboard backing, has the special provenance of originating long ago directly from the personal collection of the legendary pioneer collector Woody Gelman, who was the longtime head of Topps' art department. Total: 44 items (complete set of 43 coins and promotional photo). Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).