Lot # 2868: 1933 R109 Gum, Inc. "Pirate's Picture" Near-Complete Set (70/72) Plus Wrapper

Presented is a near-complete set of R109 "Pirate's Picture" cards issued by Gum, Inc, consisting of seventy different cards (out of 72 in the set). The R109 set, one of the great gum-card sets produced during the 1930s, features colorful illustrations of pirate-related scenes along with narratives on the reverse about the pirates and their adventures. Also included is an original wax wrapper and nine different cards from the 1936 "Belga Pirates Gum" series, the slightly later Belgian version of the R109 set. Condition is 31% Vg-Ex (including a couple Ex), 44% Gd to Vg, and 25% lesser (including one that measures small). Two cards has been professionally graded: #5 (PSA EX 5) and 8 (SGC VG/EX 50). Three cards (#9, 34, and 59) are short-printed and make completion of this set especially challenging. Two of these short-prints (#9 and 34) are missing from this near-complete, while #59 "Fight at Pirates' Cove" is included, grading Fr due to light tape residue. The accompanying wrapper displays crisp, pirate-themed illustrations in bold color and appears to have never been wrapped around cards, grading Very Good to Excellent due to scattered wrinkles. The nine Belgian cards grade Ex, three Vg-Ex, four Vg, and Gd. This is an attractive near-complete set of this classic 1930s issue that would be a significant addition to any nonsport-card collection. Total: 79 cards plus wrapper.