In 1939, auto racing cards were virtually nonexistent in the United States, as domestic card production remained focused on more established sports like baseball and boxing, with auto racing still considered too regional and fragmented to support a dedicated issue. Any appearances of racing drivers were typically incidental—buried within broader “sports” or novelty sets rather than forming a cohesive, standalone release. The real activity came internationally, particularly in Europe, where tobacco companies continued to produce more structured and visually appealing series.
The most notable was the Kings of Speed issue from W.A. & A.C. Churchman brand, which stands out as one of the few significant multi-sport sets of the year to prominently include motor racing. The set featured a mix of speed-related subjects—drivers, land speed record holders, and other figures associated with velocity—presented with illustrated fronts and descriptive text on the back. While not exclusively devoted to auto racing, its inclusion of prominent European drivers and emphasis on speed as a theme made it one of the key 1939 releases for collectors interested in the hobby. Overall, 1939 reflects a continued divide: minimal organized production in the U.S., contrasted with more deliberate and collectible racing-related material emerging from European tobacco issues.
1939 W.A. & A.C. Churchman (UK) “Speed of Kings”
1939 W.A. & A.C. Churchman (UK) “Kings of Speed”