World Champion Athletes Exhibits

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Posted By: RayB

1920's issue. Anybody have any backround on these?
Checklist?
Card Count?
Thanks.
RayB

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Posted By: warshawlaw

I have been studying this issue in depth for some time now. I think the correct date is 1925 based on the subjects of the set. The following are some of the confirmed subjects in the set and information about them which leads to the date:

Yakima Canutt: Canutt was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the Rodeo Historical Society (of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum) in 1975. He was 1917, 1919-1920 & 1923 World All-Around Rodeo Champion. In 1924 he started working in films. Source: Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, http://www.us.imdb.com/name/nm0134831/bio> He no longer competed in rodeos after he went to Hollywood.

Charles Jewtraw: Jewtraw was the first athlete ever to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He won the 500-meter speed skating championship, the first event at the 1924 "Olympic winter carnival" in France, which was approved by the International Olympic Committee. He was the national outdoor champion in 1921 and 1923. Source: http://www.hickoksports.com/history/speedskatehof.shtml> (National Speed Skating Hall Of Fame)

Edward Gourdin: Edward (Ned) Gourdin was a long jumper. He broke the World mark in 1921 with a jump of 25-foot-3. That same year, Gourdin won the pentathlon of the National Amateur Athletic Union. He won first place in three events: the broad jump, the javelin throw and the 200-meter dash. Following a successful collegiate career, Gourdin competed in the 1924 Olympic Games in France. He captured a silver medal in the running broad jump. Source: ivyleaguesports.com

Johnny Weissmuller: Won 5 Olympic Gold Medals 1924-28 for swimming. Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0919321/bio>. Casting the leading role in Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932), MGM's lavish production was a spectacular hit, making Weissmuller an overnight star and prompting a long string of sequels: Tarzan and His Mate (1934), Tarzan Escapes (1936), Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939), Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941), and Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942), all of which teamed him with Maureen O'Sullivan. Source: Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia. By 1932 he had been out of sports for three years.

Jack Dempsey: Dempsey lost the title in 1926 to Gene Tunney. By 1932 he was retired in all but name and the heavyweight championship had been through Tunney, Jack Sharkey, Max Schmeling and was currently in the hands of Primo Carnera.

Babe Ruth: The uniform is the tip-off. By 1925 the Yankees were in dark navy caps, a style they have never changed. The image on the card shows Ruth in a white cap.

see my exhibit card site (in vintage links) for some pictures from the set.

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Posted By: RayB

If you have a complete checklist I would be pleased to have a copy. Thanks.
aja4rayb@msn.com