Wall Ice Cream Skateboard Surfer Trading Cards

Walls Ice Cream used to include trading cards in their novelty treats, offering sets for a limited period of time. It’s easy to find the sets for sale online, as well as some from competitors that all appear to have the same form factor of 35mm x 68mm – it’s not obvious in inches either. This is the Skateboard Surfer set that came out in 1978. Each card in this set of 20 features color illustration on one side and some information on the back, including a helpful safety warning:

The skills and thrills of skateboard surfing, without the spills. Do not try any moves until you have perfected those described on previous cards.

The illustrations and poses are very similar, and cursory look might give the impression that some of the illustrations were used more than one, but they weren’t. Ever set of these cards visible online, including other sports and types, appears to be in very good condition, so it seems likely that these must have been sealed in cellophane with the ice cream.

Check out this advertisement for Walls Ice Cream from Skateboard! issue #10, published in 1978. It features cartoon characters Tom & Jerry, and mentions the Skateboard Surfer trading cards in the last panel.