Ode to Pre-War Football Cardboard

[jefferyepayne]

I've always loved your Star Player Candy set, Carl! For those not familiar with the set, these cards are EXTREMELY hard to find. Known total population for each card is less than five. They were originally called "Anonymous Candy" because nobody knew who made them. There is a baseball set of these as well that you will see more often. A while back there was a find of a complete box of these with cards still in the wrappers. I believe they were all baseball but the box promoted them as Star Player Candy and was from Dockman, Inc. out of Baltimore. Dockman, of course, is known for other baseball card sets as well.

Here are a few of the stars that I have but Carl has the motherlode!


George "Wildcat" Wilson was an All-American halfback at the University of Washington. After graduation, he was enticed by Red Grange to play in Grange's new AFL league Grange was starting with his manager, CC Pyle. Wilson was the star of the Los Angeles Wildcats until the league folded. Wilson then played for three years with the Providence Steam Roller, helping them win the NFL Championship in 1928.

Here is a photo of the Steam Roller championship team:





Eddie Tryon was an All-American halfback at Colgate before playing in the NFL for the New York Football Yankees for one year. He was named 2nd team All-Pro that year before moving on to other endeavors.

SGC designates the year 1925 for Star Player Candy cards but this is believed to be incorrect based upon the fact that some of the players in the set did not play for the organization mentioned on their card until later years. PSA designates the year 1928 which is more likely when these cards were distributed but nobody is certain of this.

As Carl mentions, the Grange and Driscoll are highlights of the set. So are Sternamann and Benny Friedman. The Grange is probably the rarest of all of the Grange cards that exist.

jeff

[tuckr1]

Here is my modest entry, 1935 National Chicle, Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski!

I know its legend, but I love this story!!



Nagurski was discovered and signed by University of Minnesota head coach Clarence Spears, who drove up to International Falls and arriving watched Nagurski out plowing a field. According to legend Spears asked directions to the nearest town, and Bronko lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town. He was signed on the spot to play for the Golden Gophers. Spears admitted he concocted the story on his long drive back to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Jeff, were you thinking WWI or WWII?

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Jeff, were you thinking WWI or WWII?

Good point. Should have been more specific. Usually in cards when people say "Pre-war" and don't specify, they are talking about Pre-WWII.

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Jeff - I have Chicles then, but I've posted most of those elsewhere. I don't have anything else. I don't think we've seen any Mayo Cut plug yet. I do see a Shotwell Grange in Carl's post.

Also, here is something I can squeeze into this thread given the year - there is no card of any 1925 Potsville Maroons player is there? Maybe in that Star Player Candy set?

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks Jeff - I have Chicles then, but I've posted most of those elsewhere. I don't have anything else. I don't think we've seen any Mayo Cut plug yet. I do see a Shotwell Grange in Carl's post.

Also, here is something I can squeeze into this thread given the year - there is no card of any 1925 Potsville Maroons player is there? Maybe in that Star Player Candy set?

We're getting there, John, we're getting there. Much more to come on all of these fronts but trying not to post everything on the planet and have this thread stop quickly. Let's keep it rolling every day!

Are you a Pottsville Maroons fan? If so, I have a LOT of Pottsville stuff as it's become an area of concentration for my collection.

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Hey Jeff - thanks for asking about my interest in the Maroons - its been something I've been digging around about recently. The 1920s All-Decade team only lists a single FB - Ernie Nevers - not a bad player . But, it's recently come to my attention that there was another pretty good fullback at that time. A 1987 Coffin Corner article documents Tony Latone's story - it's fascinating and several aspects are right up my alley - a forgotten star, a running back, possibly leading rusher of the 20s, the disputed 25 championship, the PA connection, etc.