After the success of the 1939 issue, Gum Inc returned with a bigger and more comprehensive set in 1940.  Once again featuring dynamic, black and white photographic images with extensive bios on the reverse, the set included a host of Hall of Famers, with a very tough second series consisting of 60 "high number" cards that are quite elusive today.

Presented here is a gorgeous set that was assembled by a condition-conscious collector who initially built a set as a boy in the 1940s.  Of the various baseball card sets he collected as a youngster, it was the 1940 Play Ball issue that was his favorite, because the set included both contemporary players and "old time" heroes from the early days of the game.  Our consignor built this set with an eye on condition, but did so during an era when corners and surface quality were considered far more important attributes than centering and toning.  As a result, the technical grade of many of the cards is inconsistent with the eye appeal of the set.  To illustrate, we submitted six cards to PSA for evaluation.  The results were as follows: #27 Williams PSA VG 3; #120 Johnson PSA VG 3; #175 Mathewson PSA VG 3, #168 Wagner PSA VG-EX 4; and #225 Jackson PSA GOOD 2 (MC).  Additionally, card #1 of Joe DiMaggio was returned, the card not meeting the minimum size requirement for PSA to holder.  

A complete condition breakdown of the set is as follows: 2% EX/MT; 6% EX; 18% VG/EX; 41% VG; 30% GOOD, and 3% lesser with a few likely not gradeable due to minimum size.  Centering is the primary condition flaw among these cards, as many are quite sharp and clean.  A breakdown of the ungraded key cards is as follows: #1 DiMaggio (G - Min Size), #6 Gomez (VG/EX), #7 Dickey (G), #30 Berg (VG), #38 Doerr (G), #40 Greenberg (VG), #41 Gehringer (VG), #87 Hubbell (G), #88 Ott (F), #104 Waner (G), #105 Waner (VG), #107 Vaughan (G), #118 Hoyt (G), #119 Alexander (VG), #129 Harris (VG), #132 Mack (VG), #133 Foxx (VG), #134 Cronin (VG/EX), #141 Stengel (VG), #167 Frisch (VG/EX), #170 Speaker (VG), #171 Heilmann (VG), #172 Bender (VG), #173 Lajoie (VG), #174 Evers (VG), #177 Baker (VG/EX), #180 Cochrane (VG), #223 Jennings (VG), #224 Traynor (VG), #226 Hooper (F), #234 Chance (VG), #232 Goslin (VG/EX), #237 Keeler (F), #238 Bottomley (G), #239 McGraw (VG), and #240 Lazzeri (VG).  An extremely attractive set despite the lower technical grade, carefully assembled by a condition-conscious hobby veteran.  240 cards total