1935-37 Gum Inc. G-Men & Heroes of the Law (R60) Non-Sport Forum

I'm thinking of taking on Gum, Inc.'s "G-Men & Heroes of the Law" as my next TCDB project. It is a massively complicated series (R60) that contains three different sets with one set containing 8 different print groups. The series is skip-numbered, covers multiple years, and contains numerous variations.

We have one of the sets listed on TCDB. It is listed without any of the variations and in reviewing the scans that are posted, I notice that we have have a mixture of series/variations posted that are technicaly not the correct card.

Before I start meadling with this set, I thought I would I ask the TCDB community if anyone had thoughts or opinions on this set.

Here's my semi-educated thoughts on the set:

The (R60) set contains three sets:

• (R60a) Sequently numbered 24 card set that was distributed by Gum, Inc. in 1935.
• (R60b) Sequently numbered 24 card strip-style set (rouletted/perforated edges) that was distributed in 1936. It is unclear if this set was produced as a promo by Gum, Inc. or if it is was produced as an unliscensed copy (common in that era)
• (R60c) Skip-numbered set of 168 cards distributed by Gum, Inc in 1936-37. This set was produced in 8 different print runs whith numerous variations. The total card count (with variations) is 240+.

My questions at this point:

• Do we even mess with what we already have on TCDB? We have the 168 card set listed already, is that good enough?
• Do we list each set seperately or do we create a consolodated checklist? Meaning that there would be  at least three variations of cards 1-24.

That's all I have at this point. I'm sure I'll have more as I start researching the set. 

For those interested, Chris Watson, the author of the Non-sport Bible, provided a great (albeit slightly confusing) breakdown on the Vintage Non-sport forum.

Neat set and i am starting to really like the pre-war non sport sets.  That being said it looks like there are only 2 members who have cards listed in their collection tied to the existing checklist, even though Ballfan did all of the uploads, but does not have any of this set listed in his online collection.  So notifying the few members of an update would not be too painstaking.  TCDB prides itself on accurate checklists and your previous project and research was interesting to follow and created a new definitive checklist for the T213 set.  My opinion would be to create the new consolidated checklist and move the images over to their respective cards.

Three different sets. Think I did the original checklist, the source material I used did not bother to say there were more than one set, or else I would have done it right the first time.

I would suggest going with the consolodated checklist with variations listed.  Like minibbcards said, having the most accurate checklist is important. 

Putting three sets into one checklist is the antithesis of accuracy.

I've looked at this set before myself and I didn't know that it was so complicated. The only reason I learned of this set's complexity is because I follow the Non-sport vintage card forum. When I came across Chris Watson's post I checked TCDB to see if we addressed the issues that he brought up. 

Even long time G-Men collectors were unware of all the variations. I think Chris is the "expert" when it comes to the G-Men series. I wish I could find the expert on the Heroes/Men of History set.

For those with an interest, I've updated the checklist for "G-Men - Heroes of the Law" R60 series. After giving it considerable thought, I went with a consolidated checklist. For me it came down to an issue of semantics. What is a Series (capitol S - think ACC listings) vs series (series 1, series 2...etc) vs set? Plus, most of the other non-sport sites I follow consolidate the three different "sets" into one Series. I think the consolidated checklist is more in-line with how collectors view this Series. 

Anyway, give it a look. There are many more vintage non-sports sets with similar issues that I would like to compile and if how I did this set is not the way the TCDB members want to see vintage non-sport listed then I need to adjust my methodology.

My next project is to try and fix the fiasco I made of the Heroes / Men of History series (I did the work without doing adequate research) and then begin work on the Church & Dwight "Bird Series".

Edit: I screwed up the order of Card #1....I'm fixing it.....now it's fixed.