What can you tell me about Beagles Postcards?

[Jerry G]

I picked up this cool picture of Robert Fitzsimmons on a Beagles Postcard several years ago. I am totally unfamiliar with the issue. It doesn't appear to be old. I know I didn't pay much for it.

Is it part of a set of boxers? Who is/are Beagles? When were they issued? Do they have any value?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Lucas00]

This style Kodak back started in the 50s (probably late 50s). And kinda became the generic postcard back used by postcard printers thereon after, very commonly in the 70s and 80s. So it's very hard to tell dates on them generally. Just based on numbers the answer for most is the 70s or 80s. But I've seen a few 50s ones.

This I am not sure. Really the only clue to date them is age wear and smell. If it's perfectly white, no smell at all and sharp all around it is almost definitely 80s.

[D. Bergin]

Off the top of my head, the Beagles postcards were released in the U.K. for several years around the 1920's period or so. I think they were offered in various Boxing and Sporting publications in the UK.

Yours looks like a later reprint or homemade postcard made from the original postcard to me.

[ShoeMan]

I actually collect these.

Beagles Post Cards
John Beagles (1844 – 8 January 1907) was an English printer and publisher, especially of real photo postcards, through his company, J. Beagles & Co.

Famous Boxer postcards were issued between WWI and WWII. There were 11 sets issued, each numbered with a corresponding letter i.e.

156 A to Z
157 N to Z
158
159
160
161
174
176
249
341
342


There are some great images of fighters as well as fights
Not all of the letters in the series were Famous Boxers. There were other subjects.

The image you have is not an original.

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

This style Kodak back started in the 50s (probably late 50s). And kinda became the generic postcard back used by postcard printers thereon after, very commonly in the 70s and 80s. So it's very hard to tell dates on them generally. Just based on numbers the answer for most is the 70s or 80s. But I've seen a few 50s ones.

This I am not sure. Really the only clue to date them is age wear and smell. If it's perfectly white, no smell at all and sharp all around it is almost definitely 80s.

You are correct, Lucas. Often the back tells the story. Thanks.

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Off the top of my head, the Beagles postcards were released in the U.K. for several years around the 1920's period or so. I think they were offered in various Boxing and Sporting publications in the UK.

Yours looks like a later reprint or homemade postcard made from the original postcard to me.

Thanks, Dave. I did see some from the 1920s on eBay. They are easily distinguishable from my relatively modern example.

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by ShoeMan

I actually collect these.

Beagles Post Cards
John Beagles (1844 – 8 January 1907) was an English printer and publisher, especially of real photo postcards, through his company, J. Beagles & Co.

Famous Boxer postcards were issued between WWI and WWII. There were 11 sets issued, each numbered with a corresponding letter i.e.

156 A to Z
157 N to Z
158
159
160
161
174
176
249
341
342


There are some great images of fighters as well as fights
Not all of the letters in the series were Famous Boxers. There were other subjects.

The image you have is not an original.

Wow! Folks on net54 never disappoint. The seller of this Fitzsimmons didn't offer any info, but the ink was barely dry when got it. Thanks, Shoes. I still like the picture.

[sthoemke]

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec...erm/BIOG247972

From The British Museum:


primary name: primary name: J. Beagles & Co Ltd

Details

organisation; publisher/printer; British

Other dates
1881-1939 (circa)

Address
London

Biography
Postcard publishing company founded by John Beagles circa 1881, in Paddington, London. Became a limited company in 1908, and ceased trading on the 18th July 1939. By the 1900s the business was located at 9, 10 and 11 Little Britain, London.

The company was well known for their postcard portraits of royalty, famous celebrities and action scenes from plays. They also published exhibition cards.