Know what these are? GA DC cards? 2 2

[BarristerBaker]

No sure where best to post this, but trying here. 

Does anyone know what these are? I bought these off eBay. The guy said he picked them up 30+ years ago from an estate sale in Northern NJ, along with other pieces from the 40s. These are original art on card stock. They’re 5-3/4 by 6-3/4 inches.Three of the backs have a stamp on them (two shown below).

There was also a Batman, Joker, and Wonder Woman, which I didn’t get.

Fronts:

 

A few backs:

Flash

Superman

The guy said another bidder reached out and said another person on eBay sold a bunch of similar cards last Spring. That bidder picked up a Penguin at that time. Here’s an image:

Does anyone know what these are? Was there a card set made circa ‘43, ‘44 (basing that off the Batman and Joker images)? If there was, what other cards were made. What I have seems like production art, but not sure. Any information would be appreciated.

[MrBedrock]

Those look every bit like bootleg cards that someone is trying to pass off as real. I would avoid those like the plague.

[BarristerBaker]

4 minutes ago, MrBedrock said:

Those look every bit like bootleg cards that someone is trying to pass off as real. I would avoid those like the plague.

I didn’t avoid. I bought them. Perhaps regretfully. 

[MrBedrock]

I could be wrong. I am trying to think of a best case scenario (in house art tryout cards, test cards for a possible set, etc) but the art just looks too amateurish, the poses are all swipes, and the stamps on the back are a little too convenient. I hope I am wrong.

[BarristerBaker]

4 minutes ago, MrBedrock said:

I could be wrong. I am trying to think of a best case scenario (in house art tryout cards, test cards for a possible set, etc) but the art just looks too amateurish, the poses are all swipes, and the stamps on the back are a little too convenient. I hope I am wrong.

They look old, real. I have them in hand now. All are swipes, but not sure that’s surprising. But were they production for an old bootleg? Maybe. Not sure. They’re interesting, though. 

[BriD.]

I was watching the Wonder Woman in that group but couldn't bring myself to bid because I also had no idea what they were. I am still interested in finding out. I hope someone here knows. 

[BarristerBaker]

43 minutes ago, BriD. said:

I was watching the Wonder Woman in that group but couldn't bring myself to bid because I also had no idea what they were. I am still interested in finding out. I hope someone here knows. 

I took the plunge. Too interesting not to bid...at least for me. Might have burnt that money, but qualities here that are intriguing.

[Cobbledclam]

My thoughts are they also have the look of early ditto press fanzine enthusiasm art

that may have been intended to be  published somewhere but....? I have looked through a few of my Batmania and others but nothing definitive 

[Junkdrawer]

Can you smell the ink?

[Cobbledclam]

Hey they are fun looking cards. I'm coming in here fresh and am unaware of how they were marketed, price  and such,  so I'm hoping they we're not presented as something they aren't. If I could go back 50 plus years and dig up some of my childhood comic book  doodles and see how inaccurate my perception of the art I made at the time stands up 

[Cobbledclam]

Is it rude to inquire what you paid for them? I personally love oddball comic stuff like this. It could be someone created their  own personal version of the Philadelphia Superman card set, or many other topical pop culture tobacco or gum card sets of the time.  

[Crowzilla]

I think these were talked about extensively in the Original art section.

[DanCooper]

8 hours ago, Crowzilla said:

I think these were talked about extensively in the Original art section.

 

[Cobbledclam]

I'm updated on background from the thread in original art. Thanks for the info. 

[Robot Man]

I saw those as well but I passed. I've going with Mr. Bedrock on these. They just have that "aged" look that doesn't seem right. Also, the "DC" on them look like a giveaway. They seem to be stamped rather haphazzardly. In all my years (50) of collecting this type of stuff, I have never seen any others. Hope I am wrong and have been known to be but they appear to be a little "suspect"...

[BarristerBaker]

4 hours ago, Robot Man said:

I saw those as well but I passed. I've going with Mr. Bedrock on these. They just have that "aged" look that doesn't seem right. Also, the "DC" on them look like a giveaway. They seem to be stamped rather haphazzardly. In all my years (50) of collecting this type of stuff, I have never seen any others. Hope I am wrong and have been known to be but they appear to be a little "suspect"...

Fair take, completely. You and Bedrock are both wise fellers. 

[BarristerBaker]

7 hours ago, DanCooper said:

 

Stellar. Love these boards. Thanks for hunting this down.