What are you top 5 20th century boxing cards?

[aaroncc]

I don't collect 20th century. But think Adams list is pretty accurate. Although the T220 Silver Border Corbett and Donavan makes me feel like we are collecting refractors. Just not my preference.

Al, didn't know you had the Graziano Leaf. Your boxing collection is top notch.

[Exhibitman]

Nothing shiny there, Aaron. Just a set that quite a few people actively collect with two notorious short prints. I quit and sold off mine when I realized I wasn't willing to chase the Corbett; there were so many other cards I'd rather own.

BTW I consigned a nice cluster of American Sweets cards to LOTG for the fall boxing auction. I kept Louis: I'm not crazy after all.

[aljurgela]

I think that your criteria is the right one... what would you rather own if you could not sell them. I would probably drop the Leaf, then (which I do not own and probably won't). The reason why I like the T226 is the photographic image, the green borders and the Red Sun back. It is just one of the most eye appealing cards that I own. I think that the Kopec and the Pet Johnsons are good choices as well.

What do you guys think of the Romeo y Julieta Johnson and Dempsey cards. Should they be considered?

[BearBailey]

I'd think a t9 would have to be on the list Johnson or attel.
1956 adventure schmelling a possibility due to the story behind it?
All great cards mentioned.

[th38larg]

I think another candidate to add to the list is T227 Johnson. Great image and the large format makes it all the more appealing.

[david_l]

Yeah that T218 side view Johnson is such a remarkable card. It's a gorgeous card (as opposed to some of his other high value cards), it's from Johnson's prime, and you can always find one for cheap.

I don't know about most iconic or most valuable but that card is a gem. There's plenty of other cards I'd be willing to throw into consideration for the top five from that set (Langford, Jeannette, Nelson).

I also really love the T220 Peter Jackson card. It's a retrospective card but still fantastic in appearance and bio.

The 1908 Ogden's Joe Gans card, which is may be his first card is a really cool card. Speaking of Ogden's, I'll throw in the 1902 Series A "Jem" Jefferies card.

Additionally I think the 1908 Ogden's Tommy Burns card is great as it talks about him being world champ on the back. By the next year's set, there would be an odd pictured Jack Johnson card extolling his virtues. It's an interesting snapshot of boxing history. I'm not sure how many Burns cards there are which mention him as the current champ. Ah, enjoy it while it lasts Tommy.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by aljurgela

I think that your criteria is the right one... what would you rather own if you could not sell them. I would probably drop the Leaf, then (which I do not own and probably won't). The reason why I like the T226 is the photographic image, the green borders and the Red Sun back. It is just one of the most eye appealing cards that I own. I think that the Kopec and the Pet Johnsons are good choices as well.

What do you guys think of the Romeo y Julieta Johnson and Dempsey cards. Should they be considered?

I had a chance to buy a Graziano once but I don't really like the card itself, don't think much of Graziano (not an elite level fighter), and didn't want to spend the cheddar on it.

The R y J Johnson is not an attractive card, IMO:



Kind of a crappy picture in a not so pretty format. It is rare as hell and very valuable, but doesn't do it for me, which is why I sold mine when the chance presented itself. He has a lot of nicer looking cards.

The Dempseys (there are 2 different poses and at least three distinct cards known) are better looking than the Johnson but still not that great looking.



Someone has been trying to sell a Dempsey on eBay for a while. Price has been reduced from $4500 to $1800 as of this morning, so go get it!

As for T9s and T227, I thought long and hard about adding either to my list but came back again to the T218 as a favorite card. I think it just looks better. T218 has some other gems in it. I also really like Stan:



Here's another card I absolutely love from a design standpoint:

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I had a chance to buy a Graziano once but I don't really like the card itself, don't think much of Graziano (not an elite level fighter), and didn't want to spend the cheddar on it.

The R y J Johnson is not an attractive card, IMO:



Kind of a crappy picture in a not so pretty format. It is rare as hell and very valuable, but doesn't do it for me, which is why I sold mine when the chance presented itself. He has a lot of nicer looking cards.

The Dempseys (there are 2 different poses and at least three distinct cards known) are better looking than the Johnson but still not that great looking.



Someone has been trying to sell a Dempsey on eBay for a while. Price has been reduced from $4500 to $1800 as of this morning, so go get it!

As for T9s and T227, I thought long and hard about adding either to my list but came back again to the T218 as a favorite card. I think it just looks better. T218 has some other gems in it. I also really like Stan:



Here's another card I absolutely love from a design standpoint:

I actually like the dempsey one... I have a couple of the Jack Johnson Romeo y Julieta cards... I think that the $1800 for the dempsey is too much....

[david_l]

I love pre-WWI cards and history. Here's some of my suggestions, most of which I already talked about..

Another gorgeous T218



T220 Peter Jackson




1902 Ogden's Jefferies and Fitzsimmons.



It's hard to go wrong with T225. Beautiful set

[Andy Baran]

I only own 1 20th Century Boxing Card, so I guess it's my favorite. It's the Romeo y Julieta John L. Sullivan vs. Jake Kilrain card. I love that it shows them as old men, rather than using an old photo from their fighting days. I still need to find the Sullivan/Corbett from this set.

As far as pure aesthetics go, I'd have to choose the Ogdens Boer War Bob Fitzsimmons and the Susini Jack Johnson. I don't own either, and have only ever seen 1 example of the Fitz.