For the Baseball Hobbyist. . . Original Art Cards issued in 1993 by Fantasy Chicle Co. Card #149 - ALFRED J. "AL" SMITH, New York Giants | Al led N.L. pitchers with 4 shutouts in 1936 to extend 1934-36 National Chicle Co.'s R327 Diamond Stars & 1981 Den's Collectors Den Extension set | BLUE INK back variation During the depths of the Great Depression, National Chicle Company set out to compete with the Goudey Gum Company in vying for children's pennies in the Baseball Card Wars of the early to mid 1930's. National Chicle planned a mammoth 240 card extravaganza but in the final analysis produced 108 cards (170 counting all minor variations). Goudey, by contrast, had begun fast with 239 cards in 1933 but tailed off badly: issuing just 96 pasteboards in '34 - National Chicle's startup year. Forty-four years after National Chicle's last card, a hobby vendor Dennis Eckes discovered original artwork intended for use in National Chicle's set. In 1981, Mr. Eckes, under his business name Den's Collectors Den, issued a dozen additions, calling them "Diamond Stars Extension set". Eckes would number his extension set, starting where National Chicle left off, with card #109, ending at #120. Another dozen years pass and enter Mr. Tom Taber and his Chicle Fantasy Co., billed as "America's smallest Card Co.". Chicle Fantasy added 36 new cards (based on artwork by D'August Roth Martin) in the same format as National Chicle's 1934-1936, contributing number 121 through 153 plus three Negro League Stars (numbered 1-3). Two promotional cards were also issued. Fantasy Chicle sets were limited to 1,936 card sets plus an equal number of uncut sheets - and are surprisingly difficult to find. Proceeds from original sales went toward securing a grave marker for Charles Nelson "Bert" Brown, an obscure ballplayer from Taber's hometown whose life ended tragically in 1910. Whether you pursue a set or simply want to add one or two favorites to your collection, Chicle Fantasy Co. cards make great additions - as do the earlier Den's Collectors Den gems. Card size is just like the originals: 2-3/8" by 2-7/8" and, except for opting for the "pure" card look on the fronts (no player identification or team/position mentioned), they're seamless extensions to Baseball's Golden Era. Condition: Near-Mint - check the high-resolution scans, front and back; a black background has been provided to assist in evaluating card edges and corners. This is the actual card the buyer will receive.
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