Post by Hugh on May 21, 2024 21:03:01 GMT
Occassionaly, I come accross the 'Horrors of War' bubble gum cards at a stamp and paper show. I find them quick fascinating.
Warren Bowman of the Bowman Chewing Gum Company said he was troubled in 1937 by the state of the world - especially in Spain and China. He had his company create a series of 240 cards with battle scenes about the 'horrors of war' - the Spanish Civil War and the Sino-Japanese War. He seems to have thought that the cards would help his young customers understand the importance of Peace. This was before WW2 and I also wonder if he wanted to tap into the strain of isolationism accross the country. Of course, he may simply have thought the cards would sell more gum. In that, at least, he succeeeded.
Anyway, I just got in the mail today the first of these cards I deliberatly ordered - number 84 - the one on the lower right. I've been accumulating material for a presentation (or article - I haven't decided yet) on the postal history of Tsingtao (yes, the same as the beer). I thought adding one or two of these cards might help provide a non-philatelic element.
On the back of each card, the company wrote "To know the HORRORS OF WAR is to want PEACE"
Warren Bowman of the Bowman Chewing Gum Company said he was troubled in 1937 by the state of the world - especially in Spain and China. He had his company create a series of 240 cards with battle scenes about the 'horrors of war' - the Spanish Civil War and the Sino-Japanese War. He seems to have thought that the cards would help his young customers understand the importance of Peace. This was before WW2 and I also wonder if he wanted to tap into the strain of isolationism accross the country. Of course, he may simply have thought the cards would sell more gum. In that, at least, he succeeeded.
Anyway, I just got in the mail today the first of these cards I deliberatly ordered - number 84 - the one on the lower right. I've been accumulating material for a presentation (or article - I haven't decided yet) on the postal history of Tsingtao (yes, the same as the beer). I thought adding one or two of these cards might help provide a non-philatelic element.
On the back of each card, the company wrote "To know the HORRORS OF WAR is to want PEACE"