Lot # 2879: 1935 R41 "Dick Tracy Caramels" Near-Complete Set (142/144) Plus Wrapper

Presented is a near-complete set of "Dick Tracy Caramels" issued in 1935 by the Walter H. Johnson Company of Chicago, Illinois, consisting of 142 different cards (out of 144 in the set). Missing just #105 and 120 for completion. Also included are four 1930s/1940s Dicky Tracy pins, and one original wax wrapper. This set features the bright and extremely colorful artwork of Chester Gould. This is one of the all-time great nonsport sets of the 1930s and is very rarely seen in complete-set form. The set follows the adventures of Dick Tracy as he battles various criminals and villains. "Dick Tracy Caramel" cards are very scarce. A large hoard of cards numbered 121-144, which were discovered in the 1980s (all in Ex-Mt to Mint condition) sometimes gives collectors the incorrect impression that cards from this set are readily available. The 24 high-grade-find cards are relatively available, but after that, all are actually pretty rare. This is why some cards are so easy to find but sets are so rare. The low numbers (#1-120) grade 18% Ex to Ex-Mt, 68% Vg to Vg-Ex, and 14% lesser (including a few that measure small). The high numbers (#121-144) grade 42% Nr/Mt to Nr/Mt-Mt and 58% Ex to Ex-Mt. Five cards have been professionally graded and encapsulated by PSA: #8 (VG-EX 4), 45 (VG-EX 4), 98 (EX-MT 6), 103 (EX 5), and 107 (EX 5). The wax wrapper does not display normal fold lines, grading Vg due to creasing. The pins range in condition from Ex to Nr/Mt. For this issue in particular, a mid-grade set is very respectable. This is a very attractive and rarely offered near-complete set (minus two) of one of the 1930s most noteworthy and underestimated nonsport card sets. Total: 142 cards, four pins, and one wrapper.