1926 Spalding Champions
 

I have been looking around a bunch for another collecting focus. How difficult are 1926 Spalding Champions? I kinda like them but know nothing about them. What's the story behind these cards?

Thanks
Jon

I have about a dozen.
I wouldn't call them tough.
There are some back variations and also there are sheet cut versions as well.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...1926SpWaJo.jpghttp://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...oPooshEmUp.jpg

Thanks for the input. Nice cards!

Neat set of cards
 

The thing that surprised me the most about the Spalding cards when I first saw one in person was their size...they are small! The shape is like the D304 issue or the Tip Top bread cards, but only about 2/3rds of their size. Still cool, not that easy to find, and an issue that is overlooked by most collectors.

Brian

I'm a huge fan of this set. It's one of my favorite multi-sport sets out there.

In regards to the back variation - you'll find Bio, Ad & Blank back variations. I believe the Bio back is the most common. However - the Bio Backs have their own variation. A few people have discovered there are Babe Ruth cards with a 1927 Copyright on the back (as opposed to the normal 1926 Copyright). The 1927 version also has some additional text and updated stats. I also recently discoverd a Jack Dempsey with the 1927 Copyright. I'm not sure of any other players that have the 1927 Copyright - but there could very easily be more.

I'm still learning about this set myself, but there are some guy's on this forum that have a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

The Spalding Sports Co. Of America cards are easy to obtain as a type card. Going for the whole set would be very challenging. Since they were issued in little opaque envelopes, and obviously saved that way, many can be found in high grade. As mentioned there are some hand cut ones from ad sheets too. The ones I have seen like that are blank backed. And lastly the 1927 Copyright Babe Ruth examples are somewhat of an anomaly. When the first 1-2 came out they were very expensive (which is when I got mine of course). Then the next one-two went for less than half of the first one. That's the way the rare cookie crumbles. Win some, lose some.



http://luckeycards.com/phunc1927sportscoamericaruth.jpg


http://luckeycards.com/phuncsportsco1926x2diffbac.jpg

The different variations are interesting. And the size in unusual.

Thanks for all the info. I want to take a run at these puppies.

Are these cards common to find stained?
Attachment 75532
Maybe this is from the envelopes they were issued in?

Jon,

I didn't read the other responses, but the Spaldings come with about four different backs. There are blank backs, advertisement backs, and biographies from two different timeframes being September and November 1926.

Here are other examples from my collection (the second Wright is a duplicate blank back):

Thanks Brian. I really like these cards. I have the Babe Adams and it is stained which is fine with me. What I am wondering is it common for these cards to be stained? I was thinking because of the envelopes they were stored in maybe that would cause staining. Attachment 75546