The 1953 Barratt & Co. Ltd. “Fastest on Earth” set is a classic British non-sport trading card series produced by the confectionery company Barratt & Co., based in Wood Green, London. These small promotional cards were included with the company’s sweets, following the tradition of trade cards that accompanied candy or confectionery products in the mid-20th century, much like cigarette cards but focused on non-tobacco items. The complete set consists of 45 cards. Each card measures approximately 63mm x 44mm (about 2.5″ x 1.75″), a compact, pocket-sized format typical of British trade cards from that era.
The set, released in 1953, celebrates various record holders and examples of the “Fastest on Earth” at that time, capturing the post-World War II fascination with speed records in technology, transportation, and human athletics. It features a mix of mechanical achievements—such as fastest ships, trains, aircraft, cars, motorcycles, and jet-powered vehicles—and athletic feats by sprinters, runners, cyclists, and other sports figures who held world or notable records in the early 1950s.
Today, these cards are prized vintage collectibles among enthusiasts of 1950s British ephemera, non-sport trading cards, motorsport history, aviation records, and Olympic athletics. Graded examples (such as through PSA) are relatively scarce, with low population reports for many cards, reflecting the set’s age and limited original production. Common cards in good condition typically sell for modest amounts, while key cards can command significantly higher prices.
There is a single card related to auto racing in this set. It is one of Stirling Moss’s earliest card releases.
Card #20 Stirling Moss – Front
Card #20 Stirling Moss – Back