N174 Old Judge Bob Fitzsimmons

[boxingcarddigest]

The UK and Aussie OJ's looked different (with the different text at the bottom). They also matched other cards from the set during that era. The Jem Smith card is from what I understand part of a set containing celebrities, etc but I haven't seen other cards fomr that set to match it with.

The Aussie N174's are from a set that includes politicians and football players. The boxing cards and the other cards from this set share the same layout, text, etc (as well as the boxers depicted all being well known and fighting in Australia at the time). THe Aussie N174's are dated c.1890, due to who is depicted on the cards. I have a list of the set in the Asutralian edition of the World Tobacco Index I have at home. I think I also have some other scans of politicians in the set.

Here is an Aussie N174 boxer:


Here is a football player:


Here is the Smith N174:

[boxingcarddigest]

And now for something really interesting.

The Aussie N174 footballers came in two different styles. The example I showed above, with the blank back. And the pic I have below. Not sure if you can see it in this picture, but this didn't have the Old Judge writing on the front - but it had an OJ advertisement on the back of the card.

I have never seen two cards depicting the same player in both formats, so I can't say if some players were one format, and some the other. If I ever do see two players with two different format cards, then we can only assume that the boxers may also come with this type (with the OJ advert on the back). Now that would be cool.

[Exhibitman]

Like this Larry Foley?

[aaroncc]

Thanks David. Forgot about the football players. I have also seen the Mick Dooley with and without Dogshead ad on back. I use to collect the N174 nonsports. I will attach a scan of a favorite that I sold.

[boxingcarddigest]

Adam,
I forgot about that card, so in theory the other N174 Aussies (ie Fitzsimmons) could arise with the Dog's Head back.

Aaron,
THat's the UK set I was talking about (that features Jem Smith)

[butcher354435]

I have always believed the Australian issue matches up with the UK Dog's Head issue. So yes, I believe a Dog's Head Fitz does exist or did...same as a Peter Jackson Dog's Head.

The Jem Smith is the only boxer in a series all its own, at least that I'm aware of.

Here is the other half to Adam's card...

[Exhibitman]

Forgive me for being slow (it's Friday) if I missed it, but is the back on your Foley imprinted or blank?

[boxingcarddigest]

I have always believed the Australian issue matches up with the UK Dog's Head issue. So yes, I believe a Dog's Head Fitz does exist or did...same as a Peter Jackson Dog's Head.

That still wouldn't explain why the Aussie Rules football players have the advertising on the back. They certainly wouldn't be UK issued, but are part of the same Aussie Old Judge set with the boxers and politicians.