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1949 Topps X-Ray Roundup Original Art

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1949 Topps X-Ray Roundup Original Artworks (10) and Uncut Sheets (2)

Topps produced some of the smallest trading cards in history when it first starting making insert cards in 1949. Cards from the X-Ray Round Up series, issued in Pixie Bubble Gum packs, measured just 7/8 x 1-7/16 inches. The small cards pack an artistic punch because of their flamboyant colors and fascinating detail. The set was divided into four categories: Figures of the Wild West, Indian Chiefs, Pirates of the Spanish Main, and Savage Tribesmen (50 cards per group). It should be noted that the "Western" subgroup contains pictures of movie stars (such as Mae West) who portrayed Westerners in film, and that most, but not all, of the Indians were copied directly from a classic nineteenth-century tobacco card set issued by Allen & Ginter. The set title "X-Ray Roundup" refers to the "gimmick" backs of the cards. When you flip the card over there is a drawing created by printing wavy orange lines onto a white cardboard stock. Underneath the orange picture there are, visible to the naked eye, a series of fine blue-green lines, which when an enclosed slip of red "X-Ray" is placed on top, reveal another totally different picture. This lot offers ten original artworks presented mounted on a 10-artwork production panel (measuring a total of 5.75 x 8.75 inches) representing 10 cards from the series, all of a Pirates theme. Also included are a 50-card uncut sheet (7" x 8.75") of Pirates and Westerners, and a 100-picture stamp sheet (8.75 x 14.5 inches) that were issued for placing in an album. A fascinating collection of unique materials relating to one of the earliest sets ever issued by Topps. Ex-Mt. Reserve $300. Estimate $500/$1,000.

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