1939 W.A. & A.C. Churchman (UK) “Kings of Speed”

The 1939 W.A. & A.C. Churchman “Kings of Speed” set, issued in Great Britain, is a 50-card cigarette series measuring approximately 67 x 36 mm that reflects the late 1930s fascination with speed across multiple disciplines. The cards feature black-and-white photographic images on the front—typically clean portraits or lightly staged views—with descriptive text on the reverse summarizing each subject’s accomplishments. The checklist spans a wide range of speed-related fields, including motor racing, land speed record attempts, motorcycling, powerboat racing, and aviation, giving the set a broad thematic scope rather than focusing exclusively on automobiles. Within that mix, the auto racing content is particularly appealing, highlighting leading Grand Prix drivers of the era such as Tazio Nuvolari and Rudolf Caracciola, who represent the dominant European racing scene of the period. While figures like Capt. Eyston emphasize the wider “speed” theme. It is the inclusion of these top circuit racers that gives the set lasting importance for motorsport collectors, preserving a photographic snapshot of the sport’s golden age just before World War II halted international competition.

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