I'll Trade You a Wagner for a 1948L Rocky Graziano

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

OK, call me "crazy"; but, in my almost 30 years of collecting
sportscards, I have seen at least 12 - T206 Wagners. However,
I have actually seen only one 1948 LEAF Rocky Graziano. And, I
have heard of only one more which is owned by a veteran boxing
collector.

This Leaf Graziano card certainly qualifies as on of the great
mysteries in the hobby. The '48 set, incl. Joe Louis, Dempsey,
J Johnson, John L. Sullivan, etc, and was printed on a 49 card
sheet. The Graziano is actually the 50th card in this set (and
it is also card #50).

I have a full 49 card uncut sheet of this set; but, of course
Graziano is missing. So, I am curious if anyone can enlighten
me regarding this mystery card, like why did Leaf withdraw it?
And better yet, does anyone know where I can find one so I
can finally complete this boxing set.

[Archive]

Posted By: will watson

"For years collectors thought that the Leaf gum company's "Knockout" set consisted of 49 cards, erratically numbered. Indeed, uncut sheets of the cards could be found that were exactly 7 cards by 7 cards. Then, about 8 years ago, a Rocky Graziano Leaf emerged and since then one other has been found. The Graziano card may not have been released except by accident or may have been recalled. The last Graziano Leaf sold at auction for over $1,000. One owner of the card says he got his in a trade with a neighborhood friend in New York City in 1949 so they must have been available."

source: http://www.boxingcollectors.com/allcat.html

pic:

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

The Rock did not like his image being used without compensation. He threatened to sue and they quickly pulled the card. I think (I have no proof) that the Willie Pep was the substituted card, based on the sheet configuration. Obviously, the holy grail of boxing cards.

The last one I saw sold went for nearly $18,000 in a PSA holder (I think it is the one pictured above).

Graziano also is AWOL from the 1951 Topps Ringside set. The only contemporaneously-issued domestic card I know of for him is the Exhibit card. I think he is in a couple of British sets from the era.

Wagner is kind of like a fancy restaurant. Just because it has the cachet and is more expensive doesn't mean it is the best. There was a thread some time ago where we named literally hundreds of cards that were considered rarer than the Wagner.

[Archive]

Posted By: DJ

This has all been very fascinating to me.

Even though Rocky didn't play ball, it was very interesting never the less not knowing anything about it.

Anyone have a link to the thread where they name cards that are rarer? How did I miss that one? Was it the one where everyone discussed rare 'type' cards and such?

Thanks!

DJ

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

Adam W.

Sounds like a likely reason for the Leaf Gum Co. to withdraw
his card. He was a guest speaker at a sportscard show back in
the '80s and he was certainly quite a character (I am putting
this mildly).

Now, when I acquired my uncut sheet of '48 Leaf Boxing cards
in 1985 the seller was aware of the rare Graziano card; and,
his theory was that this card was printed originally on the
lower right corner of the sheet. My sheet has Arturo Godoy in
that spot on the sheet. And, indeed Godoy's bio on the back
of his card is current right up to the summer of 1948.

Your thinking suggests Willie Pep as the replacement card and
Pep is #51 in the set so there might be some support for this
since Graziano's card is #50. However, as you know, the cards
are skip-numbered (up to #102), so I don't think the case for
Pep is a strong one. But, you are the boxing card expert; and
therefore, I will defer to you.