1940 Gum Inc. Superman: A Collector's Guide

The Man of Steel's first trading cards, and one of the great pre-war non-sports sets.

Superman debuted in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Two years later, he was the biggest character in American comics, and Philadelphia's Gum, Inc. put him into penny packs of bubble gum. The 72-card 1940 Superman set, cataloged as R145, was the character's first trading card issue. It remains the most important Superman set ever made and one of the true cornerstones of pre-war non-sports collecting.

Who Made It

Gum, Inc. was the Philadelphia bubble gum company J. Warren Bowman founded in 1927. It was behind several of the era's landmark card sets, including the 1935 Mickey Mouse set, 1938's Horrors of War and the Play Ball baseball issues of 1939–1941. The company later put the Bowman name on its cards, and that name carried into postwar baseball. If you collect vintage cards across categories, Gum, Inc. is a name worth knowing.

The Set at a Glance

• Cards: 72, numbered 1–72.

• Fronts: Full-color painted artwork, usually Superman in mid-rescue, battling villains, stopping disasters or rescuing the innocent.

• Backs: A dramatic paragraph of text that builds up the scene on the front, with a Superman logo and an advertisement at the bottom.

• Scarcity: The final 24 cards, #49–72, are generally treated as short prints and carry a premium over the lower numbers.

Key Cards

• #1 Superman. The first card in the set and the first card of the character. It's the set's anchor and, like most #1 cards, condition-sensitive.

• #12 Superman's Arch Enemy. Often listed among the set's key cards.

• High numbers #49–72, including #51 Superman vs. the Spies, #55 Superman Wins Again and #68 Saved by Superman. These are the cards that slow down set builders.

• #72 Superman vs. Torpedo. The last card, scarce as a high number and vulnerable to wear at the bottom of a stack.

The War in the Artwork

Look closely and you'll see 1940 in the art. America wasn't yet at war, but the cards are full of spies, saboteurs, torpedoes and bombers. The set captures the moment a comic-book hero became a symbol of American strength. That historical context is part of why the set attracts collectors who don't otherwise collect cards.

Condition Issues to Inspect

Pre-war cards were printed on thin stock and handled hard. On 1940 Superman, look for:

• Corner wear and rounding. Nearly universal, so sharp corners are a major premium.

• Creases, including faint surface creases that only show at an angle.

• Centering. Many cards are cut noticeably off-center.

• Staining and toning, especially on the backs.

• Paper loss from cards once glued or taped into scrapbooks.

• Trimming. Pre-war cards are frequently trimmed to "improve" the edges. Compare dimensions with a known genuine card, and buy high-grade raw copies only from sources you trust.

Building the Set

Low numbers first. Cards #1–48 are more available and let you build momentum. Then work through the high numbers, which take patience.

Choose a condition band. For most collectors, a consistent run in VG to EX looks great and is far more achievable than a high-grade set. High-grade examples of this set are scarce in any card number.

Consider graded keys. For #1, the high numbers and any card you're paying a premium for, grading provides authentication and makes the card easier to resell.

Watch for Reproductions

The set's fame makes it a target for reproductions. Be cautious with glossy stock, crisp white backs on cards that should be toned, oversize or undersize cards, and suspiciously sharp corners on raw cards. When in doubt, buy graded or from a dealer who guarantees authenticity.

Superman Cards After 1940

The 1940 set stood alone for a long time. Superman's next major card issue came in 1966, when Topps released a set built on the TV series Adventures of Superman, with photos of George Reeves. The character has appeared in countless sets since, but none carries the history of the Gum, Inc. original. For collectors building a Superman run, 1940 is the anchor and 1966 Topps is the natural next set.

Storing Pre-War Cards Safely

Pre-war cards need gentler handling than modern cards. Use acid-free sleeves sized for the card, and avoid forcing cards into holders that are too tight. A pinched corner or bent edge costs more value than any holder. Keep cards flat, in a stable room away from humidity, heat and sunlight. Never use tape or adhesive. For display, choose UV-protective frames or graded holders rather than pinning or gluing cards to a backing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1940 Gum Inc. Superman set?

Seventy-two. Cards #49–72 are the scarcer high numbers.

Is this Superman's first trading card?

Yes. The 1940 Gum, Inc. set is the first trading card issue to feature Superman, and card #1 is his first card.

What does R145 mean?

It's the set's designation in the American Card Catalog, the classic reference system for vintage non-sports and early cards. Auction houses and collectors still use it.

Are the high numbers really harder to find?

Yes. Collectors and dealers consistently treat cards #49–72 as short prints, and they're usually the last cards a set builder needs. Expect to pay more for them in every condition, and expect to wait longer for nice copies.

Should I buy raw or graded 1940 Superman cards?

For keys, high numbers and any card bought for a premium, graded copies remove the risk of trimming or reproduction. For mid-grade commons, raw cards from a trusted dealer are often the better value.

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