| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
1938 Army Air Corps Insignia, Series 2
Switzer’s Licorice Co., St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Series Title: Army Air Corps Insignia, Type 2
American Card Catalog Number: R17-2
Issued by: Switzer’s Licorice Co.,
Country of Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Number of Cards: 100 cards, numbered 1 to 100
Card Dimensions: 2 × 3 inches
Circa: 1938
Checklist: Download
Background
This series of cards was issued in two distinct varieties of 100 card sets. The first set, the rarer of the two, was part of a candy box package design for Switzer’s Licorice Cigarettes. The blank backed cards measured 1½ × 2⅞ inches and were cut directly from the 1¢ packages of Switzer’s Licorice Cigarettes. The fronts of the cards featured an Army Air Corps Unit Insignia. The fronts of the cards were printed using single color ink of either blue, green red, etc. on a tan cardboard stock.
According to an offer on the side of the box, collectors could Send 15 Insignia (any kind) and 15-cents and receive a full set in four colors.
This explains the origin of the Type 2 variety of cards and explains why the Type 1 cards are so scarce.
The second set, or Type 2 variety of Army Air Corps Insignia cards are printed in four colors on shell-white card stock. These cards measure 2 × 3 inches and have a Switzer’s Air Battle Game printed on the back of the card. A copyright line on the cards notes the date of 1938. The Type 2 cards were available only in sets, which explains why they tend to be found in lots rather than a single cards. The Switzer’s Giant Bubble Gum advertised on the front of the Type 2 cards is merely an advertisement and has nothing to do with the cards. The checklist for both sets is identical. The American Card Catalog reference numbers for the two sets are R17-1 and R17-2. We do not know of any album associated with this series.
Image-Guide
References
