Non-Sports Cards Page!
1962 Topps Mars Attacks #21 Prize Captive 1959 Fleer The 3 Stooges #1 Curly
WELCOME to Nowbatting19's Non-Sports Card Page! This page will feature nothing but non-sports cards. Enjoy!
"Peek-A-View"
1941 Mutoscope All-American Girls "Peek-A-View"
Isn't this just a terrific card? These cards featured various models in pin-up fashion and are quite popular. The artwork is wonderful and features beautiful women with "cheeky"
captions. This is the first one of these type cards I have owned and I hope to collect more of them.
captions. This is the first one of these type cards I have owned and I hope to collect more of them.
1933 Indian Gum #88 Victory Cry 1933 Indian Gum #76 Pony Express 1933 Indian Gum Daniel Boone
One of the classic non-sports sets of all-time are the 1933 Indian Gum cards. Produced by the Goudey Gum, Inc. of Boston, these beautiful cards depict famous Indians (Sitting Bull,
Geronimo, Pocahontas, etc.) and other famous Indian fighters (like Daniel Boone, David Bowie, General George Custer, etc.). The backs have write-ups in green ink and it is not uncommon to
see terms like "bloodthirsty indians," "murderous indians," etc. While you may not agree with some of the card backs (I don't), the pictures are wonderful. Goudey re-released the set in the late
1940's so these cards are really not that expensive (unless they are in high grade) and they are fun to collect. The Indian Gum cards of the late 1940's have black ink on the back and do not
have the 1933 copyright on the front. These cards can be had for a few bucks each on eBay.
Geronimo, Pocahontas, etc.) and other famous Indian fighters (like Daniel Boone, David Bowie, General George Custer, etc.). The backs have write-ups in green ink and it is not uncommon to
see terms like "bloodthirsty indians," "murderous indians," etc. While you may not agree with some of the card backs (I don't), the pictures are wonderful. Goudey re-released the set in the late
1940's so these cards are really not that expensive (unless they are in high grade) and they are fun to collect. The Indian Gum cards of the late 1940's have black ink on the back and do not
have the 1933 copyright on the front. These cards can be had for a few bucks each on eBay.
Page currently under construction; I will be adding more cards soon! Questions? Comments? Please email me at nowbatting19@yahoo.com. Thank you for visiting!
1956 Gum Products Adventure Audie Murphy
In 1956, Gum Products issued a 100 card "Adventure" set which contained numerous sports and non-sports related themes. This particular card features real life hero Audie
Murphy, who became the most decorated soldier of World War ll and later became a Hollywood movie actor. The above card depicts Murphy in combat action. Murphy wrote a
book called "To Hell And Back," and later starred in the movie of the same name. Sadly, Audie Murphy died at a fairly young age in a plane crash but he is still remembered as
a real life hero.
Murphy, who became the most decorated soldier of World War ll and later became a Hollywood movie actor. The above card depicts Murphy in combat action. Murphy wrote a
book called "To Hell And Back," and later starred in the movie of the same name. Sadly, Audie Murphy died at a fairly young age in a plane crash but he is still remembered as
a real life hero.
| 1962 Topps Mars Attacks! (card #'s 32-39) |
Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. made it big with baseball cards, but they also did (& still do) make some terrific non-sports cards. Considered a true
"classic" the 55 card 1962 Topps Mars Attacks! set depicts a colorful story of an alien invasion on earth. Of course earth prevails and alien
butt is kicked on their own planet (Mars of course). These cards were quite popular with the kids; however the parents were no too thrilled with
the graphic depictions (see card #36 "Destroying A Dog," above left) and the cards were pulled from production. Hence they are scarce today
and command some hefty prices in high grade. The #1 card "The Invasion Begins" and last card of the set, #55 Checklist (above right) are the
most expensive cards in the set. Note that these cards have a "Bubbles Inc." copyright on the card backs, instead of "T.C.G." (Topps Chewing Gum
Inc.). I am not sure the reason behind this but these are most definitely Topps cards.
"classic" the 55 card 1962 Topps Mars Attacks! set depicts a colorful story of an alien invasion on earth. Of course earth prevails and alien
butt is kicked on their own planet (Mars of course). These cards were quite popular with the kids; however the parents were no too thrilled with
the graphic depictions (see card #36 "Destroying A Dog," above left) and the cards were pulled from production. Hence they are scarce today
and command some hefty prices in high grade. The #1 card "The Invasion Begins" and last card of the set, #55 Checklist (above right) are the
most expensive cards in the set. Note that these cards have a "Bubbles Inc." copyright on the card backs, instead of "T.C.G." (Topps Chewing Gum
Inc.). I am not sure the reason behind this but these are most definitely Topps cards.
1936 Gum Inc. G-Men & Heroes Of The Law #10
(John Dillinger)
(John Dillinger)
1936 Gum Inc. G-Men & Heroes Of The Law #151 "Death
Among The Gravestones"
Among The Gravestones"
Among my favorite non-sports cards are these "G-Men & Heroes of the Law" cards issued by Gum, Inc. in 1936. These cards feature some
notorious gangsters like "Machine Gun Kelly," "Pretty Boy Floyd," and Public Enemy #1 John Dillinger (above left). Really cool looking cards
and great write-ups on the backs. Very fun issue to collect.
notorious gangsters like "Machine Gun Kelly," "Pretty Boy Floyd," and Public Enemy #1 John Dillinger (above left). Really cool looking cards
and great write-ups on the backs. Very fun issue to collect.
1957 Topps Hit Stars #71 James Dean
In 1957 Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. not only issued cards of baseball, football, and basketball players, but a series called "Hit Stars." These cards featured big names in both
music and entertainment like Elvis, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean (above), who was tragically killed in a car crash just 2 years earlier. There are actually four
different James Dean cards in the series; here is one of them featuring Dean in his last film "Giant."
music and entertainment like Elvis, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean (above), who was tragically killed in a car crash just 2 years earlier. There are actually four
different James Dean cards in the series; here is one of them featuring Dean in his last film "Giant."
1962 Topps Civil War #52 Friendly Enemies
1962 Topps Civil War 5 cent wax pack
Another innovative Topps creation was the 1962 Civil War set. The cards are very
colorful and have brief write-ups on the card backs. They are similar to the classic
"Horrors Of War" cards in that they don't hold back with some graphic artwork. But the
point is well taken; "that to know war is to want peace." The above Civil War card
above (#52 Friendly Enemies) is a favorite of mine.
To the left we have a very scarce unopened wax pack. Note that it has been graded and
slabbed by GAI (Global Authentic, Inc.). How ridiculous. I guess the grading services
are running out of cards to grade if they are grading unopened packs of cards and even
autographs now (PSA). Maybe next they can start grading the stale bubble gum that used
to come with the cards. Jeez give it a rest you GREEDY BASTARDS!
colorful and have brief write-ups on the card backs. They are similar to the classic
"Horrors Of War" cards in that they don't hold back with some graphic artwork. But the
point is well taken; "that to know war is to want peace." The above Civil War card
above (#52 Friendly Enemies) is a favorite of mine.
To the left we have a very scarce unopened wax pack. Note that it has been graded and
slabbed by GAI (Global Authentic, Inc.). How ridiculous. I guess the grading services
are running out of cards to grade if they are grading unopened packs of cards and even
autographs now (PSA). Maybe next they can start grading the stale bubble gum that used
to come with the cards. Jeez give it a rest you GREEDY BASTARDS!
1964 Leaf The Munsters 5 cent Wax Pack
One of the classic TV shows of the 1960's was "The Munsters" starring Fred Gwynn and Yvonne
DeCarlo in a sitcom about the adventures of a silly monster family named "The Munsters." There
was the father, Herman (Gwynn), who worked at a Mortuary, his wife Lilly (Dracula's daughter,
played by DeCarlo), their son Eddie (a Werewolf), "ugly" cousin Marilyn, "Grandpa" (a Count), and
the family pet "Spot" (a fire breathing dragon that lives under the staircase). The show was so
popular that Leaf produced set of black & white cards in 1964 featuring scenes from the shows.
These are very popular among collectors.
DeCarlo in a sitcom about the adventures of a silly monster family named "The Munsters." There
was the father, Herman (Gwynn), who worked at a Mortuary, his wife Lilly (Dracula's daughter,
played by DeCarlo), their son Eddie (a Werewolf), "ugly" cousin Marilyn, "Grandpa" (a Count), and
the family pet "Spot" (a fire breathing dragon that lives under the staircase). The show was so
popular that Leaf produced set of black & white cards in 1964 featuring scenes from the shows.
These are very popular among collectors.
1934-35 Sky Birds #36 Charles Lindbergh (Back view)
This is just a terrific card of a courageous American, Charles Lindbergh. We kind of take air travel for granted nowadays, but someone had to start somewhere, and
Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic non-stop from New York to Paris in 1927. At the time, this was a huge aviation feat and Lindbergh became a National Hero.
The National Chicle Company produced a set of aviation cards (Sky Birds) in 1934 or 1935 and they feature famous pilots like Lindbergh and Emelia Earhardt, as well
as famous fighter pilots and planes. Quite scarce today but they provide a glimpse at some of the early pioneers and heroes of aviation.
Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic non-stop from New York to Paris in 1927. At the time, this was a huge aviation feat and Lindbergh became a National Hero.
The National Chicle Company produced a set of aviation cards (Sky Birds) in 1934 or 1935 and they feature famous pilots like Lindbergh and Emelia Earhardt, as well
as famous fighter pilots and planes. Quite scarce today but they provide a glimpse at some of the early pioneers and heroes of aviation.
1934-35 Sky Birds #72 The Spirit Of St. Louis (Back view)
1953 Mother's Cookies #1 Audie Murphy
Here is another Audie Murphy card, issued in Mother's Cookies packages in 1953. Similar
to the 1952-53 Mother's Cookies Pacific Coast League Baseball cards, Mother's Cookies also
issued a 63 card set of movie stars. I have a real fondness for Audie Murphy. The guy served
his country during World War II, became the War's most decorated Veteran (including the
Nation's Highest Honor for a Soldier, the Congressional Medal Of Honor), became a movie
star and during the whole time he seemed humble about the whole thing. Unfortunately
Audie Murphy died in a plane crash in 1971 but he still lives on in films and as one of the
Nation's true heroes. Audie Murphy is buried in Arlington National Cematary and is the 2nd
most visited grave (John F. Kennedy, another Veteran and former President is first). For
more on Audie Murphy please visit The Audie L. Murphy Memorial website at
www.audiemurphy.com.
to the 1952-53 Mother's Cookies Pacific Coast League Baseball cards, Mother's Cookies also
issued a 63 card set of movie stars. I have a real fondness for Audie Murphy. The guy served
his country during World War II, became the War's most decorated Veteran (including the
Nation's Highest Honor for a Soldier, the Congressional Medal Of Honor), became a movie
star and during the whole time he seemed humble about the whole thing. Unfortunately
Audie Murphy died in a plane crash in 1971 but he still lives on in films and as one of the
Nation's true heroes. Audie Murphy is buried in Arlington National Cematary and is the 2nd
most visited grave (John F. Kennedy, another Veteran and former President is first). For
more on Audie Murphy please visit The Audie L. Murphy Memorial website at
www.audiemurphy.com.
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors Of War #123 "Wine-Sotted Soldier Kills Villagers"
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors Of War
Considered to be one of the top non-sports trading cards of all-time is the 1938 Gum Inc. Horror Of War cards. Gum Inc. was way ahead of it's time; marketing
for kids using violence and mayhem to sell a product. I am sure this did not go over well with mom and pop but they sure make for classic non-sports cards
today. The card feature terrific artwork and some pretty violent scenes. Among the more expensive cards in the set are two cards featuring Adolph Hitler. The
backs feature a write up of the scene along with the caption "To Know The Horrors Of War Is To Want Peace."
for kids using violence and mayhem to sell a product. I am sure this did not go over well with mom and pop but they sure make for classic non-sports cards
today. The card feature terrific artwork and some pretty violent scenes. Among the more expensive cards in the set are two cards featuring Adolph Hitler. The
backs feature a write up of the scene along with the caption "To Know The Horrors Of War Is To Want Peace."
| 1962 Topps #55 Mars Attacks! Checklist (on reverse) |
1976 Topps #1 Evel Knievel
Long before the "X Games" and "Jackass" there was a guy who wore an "Elvis" type jumpsuit, was 100% pro America, and oh yeah, did he do some exciting jumps (and wipe outs) on his
Harley Davidson motorcycle. Yes, I am talking about Evel Knievel. One of his famous jumps was over the huge fountain at Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He jumped cars, buses, even canyons
(well he did fall short on that one) and along the way he broke about every bone in his body. A true American Legend, they made a movie about him (starring George Hamilton I believe) and also
an action figure (complete with stunt cycle). The Wide World Of Sports would feature some of his jumps and he made the cover of Sports Illustrated too. Topps knew a good thing and gave Evel
his own trading card set in 1976. This is the first card in the set. What looks like a microphone in his hand is actually his trademark cane (which he would need later in life to get about).
Harley Davidson motorcycle. Yes, I am talking about Evel Knievel. One of his famous jumps was over the huge fountain at Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He jumped cars, buses, even canyons
(well he did fall short on that one) and along the way he broke about every bone in his body. A true American Legend, they made a movie about him (starring George Hamilton I believe) and also
an action figure (complete with stunt cycle). The Wide World Of Sports would feature some of his jumps and he made the cover of Sports Illustrated too. Topps knew a good thing and gave Evel
his own trading card set in 1976. This is the first card in the set. What looks like a microphone in his hand is actually his trademark cane (which he would need later in life to get about).
1956 Topps Round-Up #33 Wyatt Earp "Flying Fists"
It seems the 1950's were a great time to be a kid. If you were a baseball fan, you had 3 major teams in New York (Dodgers, Giants, Yankees) and chances were one or two of those teams was
annually in the World Series. Bowman and Topps were competing bubble gum makers, each trying to produce a better baseball card than the other. The Korean War was going on in the
early part of the 1950's so if you aspired to be a Marine or Soldier you had plenty of movies, plus if you collected cards you had several non-sports issues involving that too. Prize fighting was
big in the 1950's so Topps produced a set of boxing cards in 1951. But just as popular was the "Westerns," television shows and movies, usually black & white and involving lots of shoot outs,
riding hard on the horses and Indians & Cowboys whooping it up. Topps produced a cool set of cards with a Western theme called "Round-Up" in 1956. Check out the above 1956 Topps
Round-Up card and tell me this isn't a great card. Terrific art work and bold colors really make this card "pop out" and these cards were (and still) are extremely popular today.
annually in the World Series. Bowman and Topps were competing bubble gum makers, each trying to produce a better baseball card than the other. The Korean War was going on in the
early part of the 1950's so if you aspired to be a Marine or Soldier you had plenty of movies, plus if you collected cards you had several non-sports issues involving that too. Prize fighting was
big in the 1950's so Topps produced a set of boxing cards in 1951. But just as popular was the "Westerns," television shows and movies, usually black & white and involving lots of shoot outs,
riding hard on the horses and Indians & Cowboys whooping it up. Topps produced a cool set of cards with a Western theme called "Round-Up" in 1956. Check out the above 1956 Topps
Round-Up card and tell me this isn't a great card. Terrific art work and bold colors really make this card "pop out" and these cards were (and still) are extremely popular today.
1964 Gomer Pyle #24 "That Simple Grin..."
This card brings back memories. When I was in Basic Training at Fort Jackson South Carolina there was this Private, I'll call him "Jokerman" after the character in the Stanley Kubrick film
"Full Metal Jacket." His real name was Russell Owens from California. Anyway Private Owens did not take the military very seriously; in a way he was a cross between "Jokerman" and
Bill Murray's character in "Stripes." We would be marching and he would be doing this little skip jump out of cadence and it would get me busting up. And of course I would be doing push
ups or as the Drill Sergeant would say "Drop and give me 20 Private "Lucifer." (My real name was Pulcifer). Sometimes Private Owens would have this silly grin on his face, very similar to
this 1964 Gomer Pyle #24 "That Simple Grin Won't Get You Out of This Goof Up, Pyle." And again I would bust up and be touching my nose to the pavement. Thanks to Private
Owens, I was in the best shape of my life. Eventually the Drill Sergeant called in this comedic "duo" and asked if we wanted out of the Army and we straightened up a bit. Owens kept
doing his "schtick" and I did my best to keep from laughing. It really did get a lot of guys past Basic Training. Owens! Wherever you are I still remember you! God Bless! Tim
"Full Metal Jacket." His real name was Russell Owens from California. Anyway Private Owens did not take the military very seriously; in a way he was a cross between "Jokerman" and
Bill Murray's character in "Stripes." We would be marching and he would be doing this little skip jump out of cadence and it would get me busting up. And of course I would be doing push
ups or as the Drill Sergeant would say "Drop and give me 20 Private "Lucifer." (My real name was Pulcifer). Sometimes Private Owens would have this silly grin on his face, very similar to
this 1964 Gomer Pyle #24 "That Simple Grin Won't Get You Out of This Goof Up, Pyle." And again I would bust up and be touching my nose to the pavement. Thanks to Private
Owens, I was in the best shape of my life. Eventually the Drill Sergeant called in this comedic "duo" and asked if we wanted out of the Army and we straightened up a bit. Owens kept
doing his "schtick" and I did my best to keep from laughing. It really did get a lot of guys past Basic Training. Owens! Wherever you are I still remember you! God Bless! Tim
| 1940 Gum Inc. The Lone Ranger |
Gum Incorporated produced some of the best sports and non-sports cards of all time. They produced "G-Men & Heroes of the Law," "Horrors of War," and "Superman" to
name a few. One of the best looking non-sports card sets is the 1940 Gum Inc. Lone Ranger series. The artwork is simply beautiful. The attention to detail, story lines,
everything about this set is classic. Even the reprint sets of these cards do the originals no justice. As with any classic vintage set, high grade cards will fetch significant
premiums. Even low grade examples are about $10 a card. The Lone Ranger says... "Heigh Ho.... Silver! Awaaaaay!!!
name a few. One of the best looking non-sports card sets is the 1940 Gum Inc. Lone Ranger series. The artwork is simply beautiful. The attention to detail, story lines,
everything about this set is classic. Even the reprint sets of these cards do the originals no justice. As with any classic vintage set, high grade cards will fetch significant
premiums. Even low grade examples are about $10 a card. The Lone Ranger says... "Heigh Ho.... Silver! Awaaaaay!!!
1940-45 Mutoscope "I'll Say So" 1945 Mutoscope "Visibility Perfect" 1940-45 Mutoscope "Hit The Deck"
The 1940's had their fair share of pin ups. Maybe it was the war (WW II) and the G.I.'s needing some sort of reminder of what was waiting for them back home. No wonder the U.S.
"won" the War. Regardless these pin up cards are real pieces of art. The artwork, done with real models, was done by artists like Earl Moran, Zoe Mozert, and Vargas.
"won" the War. Regardless these pin up cards are real pieces of art. The artwork, done with real models, was done by artists like Earl Moran, Zoe Mozert, and Vargas.
Topps Wacky Packages
1967 Topps Wacky Packs #4 Camals Cigarettes 1967 Topps Wacky Packs #32 Weakies 1967 Topps Wacky Packages #42 Skimpy
1967 Topps Wacky Packs #31 Jail-O
I am not an expert in non-sports cards, but I do remember collecting these
"Wacky Packages" cards (made by Topps Chewing Gum) as a kid in the early
1970's. They were actually stickers that lampooned brand name products like
Kleenex, Tide, Jell-O, etc. The artwork is fantastic. I don't know what happened
with mine; I probably peeled the stickers and stuck them on something. So
surviving examples, especially of the earlier Wacky Packs can be a challenge.
These pictured examples I "lifted" off eBay; each one has been professionally
graded by PSA as NM 7 and each one had a $125 price tag! Ouch!
"Wacky Packages" cards (made by Topps Chewing Gum) as a kid in the early
1970's. They were actually stickers that lampooned brand name products like
Kleenex, Tide, Jell-O, etc. The artwork is fantastic. I don't know what happened
with mine; I probably peeled the stickers and stuck them on something. So
surviving examples, especially of the earlier Wacky Packs can be a challenge.
These pictured examples I "lifted" off eBay; each one has been professionally
graded by PSA as NM 7 and each one had a $125 price tag! Ouch!