In the early 1930s, professional football had passionate fans but very little mainstream memorabilia — especially nationally distributed cards. That changed in 19
35 when the National Chicle Company produced what is now celebrated as the first truly national professional football card set.
A Landmark Set in Football Collecting
The 1935 National Chicle issue consists of 36 beautifully illustrated cards featuring the era’s top NFL talents, each measuring about 2-3/8″ × 2-7/8″ — slightly smaller than modern cards.
This set was one of the earliest to showcase football players exclusively, distributed across the United States with bubble gum in packs — a revolutionary idea at the time and a major leap forward for football card hobbyists.
Iconic Design & Historical Appeal
Unlike most early sports cards that featured simple photos, the Chicle cards used vibrant art-deco style illustrations, adapted from larger paintings. These striking visuals make the set instantly recognizable and highly desirable among collectors.
Cardbacks also set this issue apart. Instead of stats, each card contains tips for playing football from former coach Eddie Casey, with his signature printed underneath — adding personality and historical context to every card.
Stars of the Set
While all 36 cards are collectible, several stars stand out, including:
Bronko Nagurski – The set’s marquee card, often called the Holy Grail of football cards.
Dutch Clark – One of the first NFL stars featured.
Knute Rockne – A legendary figure that appeals to both football and card collectors.
Despite originally plans for a much larger 240-card issue, the set finished at 36 cards — making each one extremely important to complete.
Why Collectors Love It
Today, the 1935 National Chicle set represents the beginning of the professional football trading card era. Its artistic design, historical importance, and limited size make it a cornerstone for vintage collectors everywhere.