Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2018
Boxing greatness dating back to the 1880s and distribution limited to the Canadian market combine here to produce a coveted treasure trove for boxing enthusiasts, with Willards Chocolates Limited of Toronto issuing both sepia and black and white (blank-backed) cards. Offered is a near complete set, (55 of 56), of the sepia versions, with cards of Jack Dempsey, Jim Jeffries, Jim Corbett and John L. Sullivan leading the lineup. The first three have VG to VG+ appearances but with back damage from once having been glued. Twenty-two others are similar, including Stanley Ketchel and Georges Carpentier. Thirty examples have problem-free backs, with Sullivan and Jess Willard cards among 16 crease-free "better" cards in the VG to VG-EX range and the others lesser with creases. Condition is similar among 14 duplicates with no notables spotted. Missing for completion is a Vincent Martin card which however shows up in 33 black and white variations. Please see our website for condition and lineup details of the latter, along with numerous photographs of these intriguing pugilistic blasts from the past.
The black and white versions are nicer overall, with just five exhibiting lighter issues on the reverse. A dab of paper loss is observed on the back of a Sullivan card, otherwise off-centered and VG, while a VG Tom Sharkey example is also noteworthy. We count 17 pleasing crease-free cards in the VG-EX realm, including Ketchel, Carpentier and Benny Leoneard, with a few of them making it EX. Numerous possibilities with these interesting relics.
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