June Additions

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Finally got around to scanning my complete set of 1923 Union Jack Monarchs of the Ring. Pretty decent condition overall.

Jimmy Wilde, Joe Beckett, Kid Lewis, Georges Carpentier, Dick Smith and Jack Dempsey complete the set (issued between January 6 and February 10, 1923).

(I have a few dupes from this set if anyone is up for any trading.)

Check out the scans (broken up into two posts, sorry)!

[wake.up.the.echoes]

continued...

[wake.up.the.echoes]

This is a little set that I have been working on for quite a while. c1926 (at least according to PSA, for what that's worth. I have seen a date of issue for this set as early as 1922) Boys' Magazine Boxers.

Tough to find in decent condition. The entire set is composed of 8 cards: Johnnie Basham, Joe Beckett, Georges Carpentier, Jack Dempsey, Jim Higgins, Kid Lewis, Billy Wells and Jimmie Wilde.

Here are the 4 I've got in decent condition. (I've got a lesser condition Dempsey [not pictured] and another Carpentier, if anyone is up for any trading.)

[wake.up.the.echoes]

...and one more, just for fun.

It's always fun to show this one together with the "other" Boys' Magazine cards.

c1922 Boys' Magazine (from the 64 Footballers and Sportsmen set) "Mike" McTigue (This card is NOT part of the set of 1922 Boys' Magazine boxing cards listed above. It's a lot smaller and the font doesn't match. The set designation and date of issue for this card is tentative.)

I have stumbled across this card a few times in my "travels," but this is my only one.

Check out the scan!

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Picked up these two Sikis, but I lost out on a third. Can't win 'em all.

[Exhibitman]

On the issue of Siki, here is a 12/15/1925 original wire photo of Siki issued when he was killed. The caption explains the circumstances of his murder.

[wake.up.the.echoes]

For the budget-conscious collector, great deals can always be had on vintage boxing cards. For example, I cobbled together this complete set of c1922 Boys' Magazine cards in fair condition overall (I'm a vintage boxing collector, I take what I can get, lol) for around $25. And, I pieced together a complete set of 1923 Union Jack Monarchs of the Ring in VG-EX condition (same set, lesser condition, than the one I posted earlier) for less than the price of dinner for two at Benihana.

Check out the scans!

[Exhibitman]

[boxingcarddigest]

Got these a few weeks back, but finally got around to scanning and putting them into my collection last night. 22 down for this set.

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Way too excited about these to wait to post. I have these two cards sitting in my mailbox waiting for me when I get home. (Thanks, Gary.)

[D. Bergin]

Neat cards Alan. What set are those from?

[wake.up.the.echoes]

1922 Davies & Herbert Newcastle Famous Boxers (Australian)

The Les Treasure (below) is from the same set (not mine, just an image I found online). The SGC flip says 1920, but I think that's wrong. I have noticed a some variation to the fronts and the backs, but I am sure David Hanvey can speak more to that than I can. I included the backs of mine for reference.

In any case, I am extremely excited about receiving them, and I have been told they are quite rare.

I am under the impression that a lot of these cards are handcut, presumably from the art board mount spoken about on the back of my two examples.
Thoughts?

[D. Bergin]

Very cool. I thought they might be Australian. Almost anything from over there seems to be very tough. I don't think they took care of their cards like the Brits and the Germans.

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Agreed. Apparently there is a Les Darcy from this set that will cost me a bundle, if I ever come across one. I think only a handful of sets have changed hands over the past few years, and from what I have been told, they are usually found in complete sets. These were actually on ebay and went unsold (guess I fell asleep at the wheel). Luckily, the seller still had them and I was able to buy them (Thanks, Gary, if you are reading this).

[RBrown]

1940's........Interesting

[boxingcarddigest]

The Les Treasure (below) is from the same set (not mine, just an image I found online). The SGC flip says 1920, but I think that's wrong. I have noticed a some variation to the fronts and the backs, but I am sure David Hanvey can speak more to that than I can. I included the backs of mine for reference.

Yeah, they were from 1922 and had a couple of variations. As per your pictures, the cards had a red or pink border type front, and a border (red cards) and no border (pink cards) backs. The football players in another set also had a blue border. I have never seen the complete poster (art board), but I may do a bit of research into each front. I have seen a heap more pink cards (which from memory have pretty much all been hand cut, and complete sets) as compared to red cards. I'll take a look at some of the red cards I have at home to see if they are also hand cut (haven't looked at them for a while so I've forgot), and if a pattern may form.

I'll post some scans later.

[Exhibitman]

ca. 1910 Dana Studios 10.5 x 13 photo of Jim Jeffries

[boxingcarddigest]

That's a cool photo Adam!

[Exhibitman]

Thanks. I'm adding a page to my web site on vintage boxing photos. I've gotten way into them lately; with all the archives being liquidated, seems like a propitious time to do so. My focus (hah!) is Los Angeles-related items. There has been a really strong boxing culture here ever since Jim Jeffries decided to settle in Burbank and Jack Doyle opened his arena and training facilities in Vernon. Here is Jeffries' Barn in Burbank, CA, where boxing and wrestling events were held every week:



A very colorful boxing scene developed here, esp. when the movie studios opened and lured fighters out to the sunshine and beautiful women. One of my favorite photos of the genre, this one shows boxers on the set of a silent movie meeting star Monte Blue (the one in the boxing gear), including Jim Jeffries (who was in the movie as Blue's trainer), Ad Wolgast, Tommy Ryan, announcer Dan Toby, Joe Rivers and Kid Lewis. Lewis and Rivers also acted in the silents and are on some movie-related exhibit cards, uncredited:



Another one I really like [and illustrative of my 'focus' it has no LA connection]: 1937 Veteran Boxers Association of Illinois presentation photo inscribed to HOF sportswriter Grantland Rice. L to R: Jimmie Barry, Harry Forbes, Johnny Coulon, Battling Nelson, Buddy Ryan, George Gardner.