1940 Lone Ranger
As a young lad, my father would sit in front of our Zenith radio mesmerized by the green "tuning eye" as the "William Tell Overture" announced the beginning of "The Lone Ranger" radio show. This series of trading cards captures the spirit of that bygone era when the differences between the "Good Guys" and the "Bad Guys" were well-defined. The "Lone Ranger" series was one of the most popular non-sports sets ever issued. Issued by Gum, Inc. in 1940, the set featured outstanding color artwork and detail on the fronts of the cards. The Backs of the cards chronicled the exciting adventures of the "Masked Man" and his sidekick "Tonto" as they brought the bad guys to justice.
The 48 cards in this series measure 63 × 80 mm. Gum, Inc. copyrighted both the fronts and the Backs of the individual cards. The first 36 cards are the easiest to collect. The last 12 are bit more difficult to find. The last card, number 48, seems to be the key in the set and commands the highest value. The American Card Catalog reference number for the series is R83-1.
The 48 cards in this series measure 63 × 80 mm. Gum, Inc. copyrighted both the fronts and the Backs of the individual cards. The first 36 cards are the easiest to collect. The last 12 are bit more difficult to find. The last card, number 48, seems to be the key in the set and commands the highest value. The American Card Catalog reference number for the series is R83-1.
- Series Title: Lone Ranger
- ACC No.: R83-1
- Manufactured by: Gum, Inc.
- Country: United States
- Number of Cards: 48
- Card Dimensions: 63 × 80 mm
- Circa: 1940
Lone Ranger Premiums (R83-2)
Gum, Inc. also issued a series of five Lone Ranger Premiums (R83-2). The brilliant color and detail of these 8 × 10 inch pictures makes them the most desirable of all of the 1930s premiums. Each picture was available from Gum, Inc. in exchange for "Lone Ranger Bubble Gum" wrappers and coin. The Backs of these premiums are marked "series A," however no more series were ever produced. According to Benjamin ¹, "The advertising sheet which mentions Horrors of War is evidence that these premiums were actually produced in 1938, the same year As the Republic Pictures matinée serial on which they were based. The fabulous color montage of all five premium pictures is the front side of a promotion sheet sent to candy income stores." The American Card Catalog reference number for this subset is R83-2. An example of one of these premiums shown below.