Lot # 2823: Circa 1933 Goetze's "Wrapped Kisses" Display Box with R52 Flags of the Nation Cards

Addendum (4/3; 12:24 PM): Please note that we've received new information about the distribution of R52 Flags of the Nations cards. It is now apparent that the cards were issued in packs and Baltimore Chewing Gum candy cartons, as opposed to only candy cartons as originally described.

Display box of Goetze's "Wrapped Kisses," issued during the 1930s by the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company of Baltimore, Maryland, containing 20 original complete cardboard cartons of candy. The box originally housed 24 candy cartons. This rare display box and its original contents were initially offered in REA's 2010 auction. As noted directly on the cover of the display box, each candy carton contains five Goetze's caramel creams, one tablet of All Star Gum, and either a toy balloon or a novelty item. The contents, including gum and a variety of novelties (including Sun Pictures self-developing issue packs, which are very "card-like"), are included in each box. The novelties in two of the cartons, however, are identical R52 Flags of the Nation cards (No. 33 Paraguay). According to Christopher Benjamin, author of the definitive work The Sport Americana Price Guide to the Non-Sports Cards 1930-1960, Flags of the Nations cards were distributed in Flag Gum. Benjamin probably made that assumption based upon the printing on the back of each card, which reads "Flags of the Nations - This is one of fifty cards in the Flag Gum," because he later notes that "no wrapper has been seen to date." Since then, R52 wrappers have been discovered, and it is now known that Flags of the Nations cards were distributed in multiple ways including Baltimore Chewing Gum candy cartons as well as packs. Each candy carton (4.5 x 3 x 1.25 inches) is in Excellent to Near Mint condition, appearing almost exactly as they were originally issued. The display box (9.5 x 12.5 x 4 inches) is heavily toned, with a chip in one side flap on the lid (the missing piece is present with the box) and small tears along the edges. In Good condition overall.