1910 Taddy Wrestlers/Boxers Set

[samosa4u]

I spend a lot of time arguing with the wrestling/boxing collectors on this forum, so I figured that I should start an interesting thread that we can all enjoy!

These two arrived today from England:



And the backs:



Sorry for the large images! I was going to shrink them at first, but then thought that these larger images actually show more detail. You can actually see how fragile they are. The front surfaces are very flimsy, and you can see how easily they can chip/crack. There are lots of scratches on them as well!

Anyways, so these two cards are very rare and very little is known about this set. According to my research, Frank Crozier was the first black champion of the world. However, he lost to the Indian champion Buttan Singh around 1910. Based on this record, it is assumed these cards were issued around this year. Otherwise, nothing else is known about them! Nobody seems to know what other cards were included in this set. I find that very odd because the British folks have done an excellent job at organizing all their tobacco cards from this era and have even written numerous books about them.

Is there anyone here who owns these cards or can tell me more about this set?

[D. Bergin]

Crozier is an interesting character. Also an occasional, but not very good boxer. Got tossed around by Jack Johnson a bit in Spain in 1916, after Johnson lost the title to Willard.

[D. Bergin]

Might want to pick up a copy of this:

https://www.londoncigcard.co.uk/prod...ence-book/8996

...but all the reference material I have just lists (2) Wrestlers under the various Taddy series, though doesn't list them by name.


The British reference books lists them under the designation H424.

[samosa4u]

I'm surprised he even fought Jack Johnson! Crozier was a middleweight, and Johnson a heavyweight!

Here is a full shot of Crozier:



This rare postcard sold for $128 USD recently, by the way.

As you can see, he definitely looked very strong. However, putting him against a heavyweight would not have been very fair!

I spoke to another British collector today and he told me that there are only two cards in the set - doesn't that sound just weird? There has gotta' be more out there!

And that's an interesting book. I will definitely pick one up!

[samosa4u]

The above card is just easy to find.

I can't find anything on Buttan Singh though.

[sthoemke]

It is considered a series of 2 cards, so you have the whole set. (no boxers or other cards)

[LibSuperstar]

Niiiice! Coincidentally the other day I saw a FB post about Crozier.