The sticky history of bubble gum cards

Whether it was The Beatles, James Bond, Thunderbirds, or the Martians from Mars Attacks, these cards captured pop culture at its most colourful and chaotic.

A golden decade for gum

The 1960s saw a boom in card collecting. A&B.C. and Somportex led the way with series inspired by TV, film and sport, often slipped inside packs of bubble gum sold for a few pennies. For many collectors, it wasn’t the gum that mattered, it was the thrill of completing the set.

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From war zones to pop idols

Sets like Civil War News and Battle shocked and fascinated young audiences with vivid illustrations of wartime scenes, while The Monkees and The Beatles offered something more tuneful, their monochrome photo cards became instant hits. Even Thunderbirds, with its colourful vehicles and heroic puppets, made its way into sweet shops across Britain.

A lasting legacy

Though their original purpose was fleeting, gum cards have become cherished collectables. Many feature bold artwork, historical value, and cultural nostalgia that modern trading cards rarely match. And for a lucky few, the rare wrappers and mint-condition sets are now worth far more than pocket money.

Explore the full story behind these sticky slices of history in the December issue of Diecast Collector including Collectors Gazette, on sale 4th November.