Posted By:
Brent Butcher1) Most Rare Issue:
If you are focusing on 20th century North American(Pre WWII) issues and not taking into account backs(Tolsoi, Red Cross, Kopec) here are my top 5:
1 - Strollers Cigarettes
2 - York Caramels
3 - Robertson Candy
4 - E80
5 - Red Sun
Runner-ups include E78, Dixie Queen, PET/Kopec, Bread Labels
2) Most popular issue:
19th Century -
1 - N174 Old Judge/Gypsy Queen
2 - N310 Mayo
3 - N266 Lorillard Red Cross
4 - N269 Lorillard Mechanics
5 - N332 SF Hess
20th Century -
1 - 1951 Ringside
2 - 1948 Leaf
3 - 1910 T218
4 - 1910 E79
5 - 1910 T220 or E75
3) Most sought after card:
Tough question to answer. There is not the same supply of boxing cards as compared to baseball, therefore there are many unique cards of greats such as John L. Sullivan and Jack Dempsey just to name a few. Definitely the 1948 Leaf Graziano is up there and would probably be considered the most valuable but there are many cards I would rather have that are known to exist but maybe only 1-2 copies are out there.
4) Issue to go after if you want a challenge?
If you are looking for a challenge(6-8 month range) plus affordable I would focus on a T set and an E set. So my recommendation to you would be the T218 set and the E79 set. Both very doable and also somewhat affordable as long as mid grade, common backs for the T218 set and vg cards for the E79 set are your focus.
All the best Josh and good luck!
Brent