Back in 2010, I came across mention of these World War II era trading cards that kids could cut out from from boxes of Quaker Oats' Puffed Wheat Sparkles back in 1940 to 1942. Hopefully, they emptied the box first.
I went to the Skytamer site and found out about the background of the cards which had me thinking "A Christmans Story" because of its original ties to a radio show and product.
"The Little Orphan Annie" radio show began in the 1930s and its origial sponsor was Ovaltine. It soon had 6 million young listeners. Each 15-minute show heavily pushed the product with 7 minutes devoted to it. Listeners could get free items with proofs of purchase such as a decoder ring used to decipher secret messages each week. I just couldn't help but think about Ralphie Parker at this point, even though I think the movie supposedly occurred after World War II.
In 1940, Quaker's Puffed Wheat Sparkles became the show's sponsor and aviator Captain Sparks was added to the lineup. Get it, Sparks-Sparkles? "Little Orphan Annie" continued until 1941. Two sets of cutout cards were issued from 1940 to 1942(or '43).
Skytamer has pictures of all 24 cards.
Wonder If They're Worth Anything? --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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