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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Merrie Spaeth Collection of Davy Crockett Trading Cards
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.0873
- Creators:
-
Spaeth, MerrieTopps
- Dates:
-
1956.
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.25 Cubic feet1 box
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
One hundred sixty (160) cards, with color photographs of scenes from the Disney film "Davy Crockett" on one side, and a number, title, (such as "Bowie's Last Stand"), and a synopsis of the scene on the other side. The collection is divided into two series, the first series being the orange backed cards, which were issued first, and Series two consists of the green-backed cards, issued later.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Topps Chewing Gum Company issued the "Davy Crockett" trading card series in 1956, after the extremely popular Disney film starring Fess Parker had been released. The film was so popular that coonskin caps and other memorabilia from the film, such as lunch boxes, were in high demand. The first series (the orange backed cards) were extremely popular but desire for them quickly waned, apparently (according to Price Guide to the Non-Sports Cards, 1930-1960) because the sorting in the packages enabled too easy an accumulation of the full set. As an attempt to solve this problem, later that year, the green backed series was issued, and inexplicably, the cards were numbered 1-80, just as the first set had been, only with the letter "A" added. The second series was far less popular than the first. This collection includes a full set of both series.
Administration
Author
Catherine Keen
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Merrie Spaeth in 2004.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Catherine Keen, December 2004.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Merrie Spaeth Collection of Davy Crockett Trading Cards, 1956, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Collectors and collecting | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Collecting cards | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Motion pictures | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Popular culture | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Collectibles | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Parker, Fess | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Crockett, Davy, 1786-1836 | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu
