Here we have West Germany, and look, they show the industrial build up, maybe even a steel works, that the E.C.S.C. were so keen on preventing.
This card comes from a very narrow window in the story of Germany, because West Germany, or the Federal Republic of Germany, began on the 23rd of May 1949 and became joined again with East Germany on the 3rd of October 1990. And at that time it became just Germany again.
This is not the same set of A. & B.C. Flags that we showed you before, with the flag as a cut-out on a black background – they are correctly catalogued as “Flags and Bank Notes” and were issued in 1971; though in our updated British Trade Index they are only known as “Flags”, and the “Bank Notes” are on their own.
These are again proper trade cards, because they came with bubble gum, in a packet that cost 1d but does not mention how many cards you got as well. It does say that there was a special album, which you could get by sending one wrapper and a shilling postal order.
Our set is described in our British Trade Index part II as :
FLAGS OF THE WORLD. Nd. (80). Back in red and black “How They Say” in centre. As USA/R714-5 . Album issued. … ABF-9
A. Medium, 81 x 57.
B. Large, 95 x 67.
USA/R714 links to Jefferson Burdick`s "American Card Catalogue", where, under Topps Unclassified Cards, it reads :
5. Flags of the World (80) 2 5/8 x 3 3/4, 1956, numb ... 0.03
Also issued abroad by other firms.
We know it is the same set thanks to Jeff Allender, and another of his excellent checklists.
In our updated British Trade Index they are listed as :
FLAGS OF THE WORLD. Nd. (80). “How They Say” in centre of red and black back. Special Album … AAB-280
1. 1959. 95 x 67. Cards (a) grey (b) white
2. 1963. 81 x 57. Also issued in Australia and overseas, titled “Flaggen Der Welt”