Issued in 1961, the Horror Monsters "From Real Movies" trading cards by Nu-Cards, Seaford, NY are the first monster cards that used photographs from monster movies on the card fronts. Earlier cards, such as the 1959 You'll Die Laughing series used artwork exclusively (all by ex-EC artist Jack Davis).
Each card measured 2-1/2” by 3-1/2” and originally came in two-card panels that were perforated to allow for separation. A similar format was used for the 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" 1963 Topps Monster Laffs Midgee Cards, which were issued in 3-card panels (I remember getting mine out of a vending machine!). Over the course of their history, they were sold in different packaging from paper to cellophane.
The first series was numbered from 1-66 and had green borders with backs that were white or grey. The second series, numbered from 67-146 had orange borders and green backs. There was a blue-bordered series printed and it is commonly thought that these were either promotional cards or bootlegs. There was also a sheet of yellow bordered cards which are thought to be prototypes or promotional.
The photos were from a wide variety of film companies, including Universal, AIP, Hammer and MGM and there seemed to be no regard for the use of licensing for the images since the practice was still in its infancy. Most of the photos were from monster movies but a few were hand-drawn. The captions varied from jokes to the movie title, which was several times incorrect. For example, THE HAUNTED STRANGLER was mis-identified as "The Haunted Stranger".
While most trading cards came in "wax packs" to protect the stick of gum inside, Horror Monsters cards were packaged with no gum. They even made fun of the fact by this note on the back of the pack: "Packed with GHOST GUM. You can't see it. You can't taste it. You can't chew it. But dentists say it's good for your teeth."
Also noted on the back of the wrapper was a premium: if you sent in 50 wrappers (or 5 wrappers and $1.00) you would receive two "giant-size" sheets of "nightmare wallpaper", a poster-size print of all the cards in the first series.
A few lucky kids would find in their packs a bonus card with a value equivalent to 100 wrappers which could be applied to a special redemption prize. While card #102 with a picture of THE ELECTRONIC MONSTER in the front had a regular back, the back would indicate whether or not it was a bonus card.
Prices vary on these cards today. The orange-bordered cards are widely available and the green cards less so. Many other monster photo-card series followed, but this amazing, 147-card set by Nu-Cards was the first.
Bonus card with regular and bonus back.
Card backs.
Prototype or promo card sheets.
