And a pair of Old Judges. I thought the lot got cut to a fair price, $695, but if I misjudged that I'm still happy. Receipt was delayed by the eBay authenticity program, which sent an incredibly vague note that the cards could not be authenticated without stating its because there are 2 cards instead of 1. Thanks eBay, really helpful.
Sullivan laid claim to the Heavyweight title when he defeated Paddy Ryan here in 1882. Today Ryan is considered a national champion and Sullivan the progenitor of the world title lineage. These two cards are 1888 I think, from the wavy banner release of actresses, 17 boxers and at least one oarsman in Old Judge and Gypsy Queen. Ryan doesn't have many cards, he is in the Red Cross N266 series (paired with Joe McAuliffe) and has an N332 S.F. Hess but that's about it. This is my first solo card of Ryan, so even though he is the cheap extra of the lot I kind of like it better, as I have a ton of different Sullivan cards (with many more to go). Ryan was a fine heavyweight, but even among the boxing history crowd pretty much everyone before Sullivan is merely a footnote. His wrestling centric style wouldn't have aged into the Queensberry era very well, after his loss to Sullivan Ryan remained active for several more years and then fought many exhibitions, including with Sullivan. Like many of those Sullivan beat, Ryan went from enemy to beloved friend with the great champion. Sullivan seems to be one of those people everyone either loved or hated, often both at different times.
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