1937 Wills British Sporting Personalities Set

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Wills British Sporting Personalities
Year	1937
Size	2″ x 3 1/8″
Images	Black and White
Type	Tobacco
Number in Set	48

1937 Wills British Sporting Personalities Overview

The 1937 British Sporting Personalities set was distributed in packs of Wills Cigarettes products. A 48-card, multi-sport release, the set features some of the country’s most important athletes of the time.

In addition to hockey, there is a hodgepodge of other sports represented here. Among other things, the set also includes boxing, soccer, swimming, cricket, golf, rugby, tennis, and auto racing.

Although many sports are featured, most names will not be familiar to American collectors as these cards profiled British athletes. There are some big time athletes here that will be recognized, though. Tennis Hall of Famers Fred Perry, Bunny Austin, and Dorothy Round are some of the famous names from that sport. Boxing Hall of Famer Len Harvey is also included in the set.

Hockey

The biggest subjects of interest to many American collectors are likely the two hockey players included – Lou Bates and Joe Beaton. Both played in the English National League and Bates became a member of the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

In addition to hockey, there is a hodgepodge of other sports represented here. Among other things, the set also includes boxing, soccer, swimming, cricket, golf, rugby, tennis, and auto racing. Although many sports are featured, most names will not be familiar to American collectors as these cards profiled British athletes.

The cards featured real black and white photographs on the front with the athlete’s name printed in the bottom and a white border around all four sides. The back had a short description of the player as well as the Wills Cigarettes name.