Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Roy Jay Resch was the type of man needed during the Great Depression. The Cleveland native was the Melon Bank's troubleshooter. When Melon invested in a troubled company they sent Resch in to save it from destruction. It was in just such a capacity that he showed up in Boston in 1932. Melon had acquired an interest in the Goudey Gum Company. The firm was floundering in the wake of the depression and the founder, Enos Goudey, sold his shares to the bank. Resch took over as president and within a year had made the company successful again. The biggest innovation he implemented had nothing at all to do with candy or gum but with cardboard - under Resch's guidance Goudey became the first company to market baseball cards with gum!
From 1933 to 1938 Goudey produced some of the most artistically beautiful baseball and non-sports cards of all-time. The simple combination of gum and cards fueled a market for kids and collectors that has lasted to this very day. As for Roy Resch, by 1938 his job was done and it was time to move on to another doubled company. As a token of gratitude for saving their company and jobs, the employees of the Goudey Gum Company presented Resch with this engraved 14kt gold Hamilton Bentley model watch. Crafted in the beautiful art deco style of the day, the watch's back reads: "ROY J. RESCH (Auf Wiedersehen) THE GOUDEY GUM CO. EMPLOYEES 10-31-38".
The watch is in very good condition and the engraving is still strong and clear. The watch crystal shows some wear but is very clean and clear as is the face and dial. The 14kt gold case and gold-plated band show light use - overall a fine looking watch and all the more significant in that it was presented to the man who created the modern bubble gum card! Signed and notarized Letter of Authenticity from Roy Jay Resch's grandson.