The W517 set of baseball cards was issued in 1933 by World Wide Gum under their Diamond Stars brand. While not one of the most famous or valuable vintage card sets, the W517s provide a fascinating window into the world of early 1930s baseball and the emerging baseball card collecting hobby.
The 1930s marked a time of transition for the baseball card industry. In the early decades of the 20th century, baseball cards were primarily included as promotions in packs of cigarettes or gum. The Great Depression hit the tobacco and confectionery industries hard in the early 1930s. Seeking new revenue streams, several gum and candy companies like Goudey, DeLong, and World Wide Gum began issuing baseball cards as the primary product in their packaging.
The W517 set marked one of the earliest dedicated baseball card releases not tied to cigarettes. It featured 117 total cards showing individual photos of players from the American and National Leagues. The design of the cards was basic but functional for their time. Each photo card measured approximately 2.5 x 3 inches and were printed using a process known as chromolithography to depict the players images in muted shades of blue and grey. Basic career statistics and each players team were listed in blue text below the image.
In an age before MLB licensing and the modern player association, the photography and imagery used in early sets like W517 was hit or miss in quality. While some recognizable star players received rather professional studio portraits, other lesser known players barely resembled their true likenesses. Part of this was due to the rushed nature of production as new sets were churned out each year. Teams and players also had little say or control over their image rights. Despite the technical limitations, the W517 set provides a candid snapshot of the players and uniforms from this transitional period in baseball history.
Distribution of the W517 set was handled through promotional tie-ins with grocery stores, candy shops, five and dime stores, and regional confectioners across the United States. A full 117 card set would have retailed for around a nickel. It’s far more likely the average early 1930s kid received baseball cards randomly included with stickers, bubblegum, or penny candies thanks to bulk distribution deals signed by World Wide Gum. While production numbers are unknown for W517, surviving population data suggests it had a print run at least comparable to other contemporary sets from the same period.
Despite originally being accessible promotional releases, W517 cards have developed notable value among collectors today. Key factors driving demand include the set capturing a snapshot of the lively pre-World War 2 baseball era and the continuing decline in population across 80+ years since issue. High graded examples of star rookies like Carl Hubbell, Mel Ott, or Jimmie Foxx can sell for thousands when in high-grade condition. Even more common players have seen notable increases in value in recent years as vintage card collecting becomes more mainstream.
For historians and researchers, the W517 set is an important primary source. In addition to documentation of player photos and stats from 1933, the set also serves as a cultural artifact illustrating the early days of the growing baseball card hobby and memorabilia market. Later issues from companies like Goudey would refine the baseball card concept and help popularize collecting for generations for kids through the hobby’s ‘Golden Age’ of the 1950s. But sets like W517 represent important foundational steps that made baseball cards a widespread and iconic part of American popular culture. While lacking extensive stats or bios common to modern cards, the visual connection to a bygone baseball era keep W517 an intriguing vintage release for collectors and researchers alike.
Nearly 90 years since issue, the W517 set still invites continued discovery and discussion within the hobby. Unlike some older tobacco-era sets with huge print runs, scarcity maintains interest. New finds of formerly ‘unphotographed’ players added valuable records to the set pop charts. The story of set distribution and producer World Wide Gum adds context for the era. And enthusiasts continue trading and collecting to slowly upgrade their W517 collections, piece by fascinating piece. In capturing a specific season and teams, this early World Wide Gum cardboard release ensures the players and Uniforms of 1933 remain preserved for future generations of baseball fans to appreciate.
