1922 Davies & Herbert Newcastle Famous Boxers Set and Checklist

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Davies & Herbert Newcastle Famous Boxers
Year	1922
Size	1 1/2″ x 2 3/4″
Images	Black and White
Type	Candy/Caramel
Number in Set	50 (?)

1922 Davies & Herbert Newcastle Famous Boxers Set Overview

Davies Herbert Newcastle Famous Boxers Boxing These cards are exceedingly rare and it is difficult to find even minor subjects. They were issued by Davies & Herbert, a candy company in Australia. As the backs of the cards state, they were presented by that company, though it is unclear how they were distributed or how many were printed. In addition to this set, Davies & Herbert also printed a soccer/rugby set with the same design and, quite possibly, the same exact year.

The set is called ‘Newcastle Famous Boxers’ as it featured boxers from that area. No name is on the front of the cards but it is on the back along with a brief description of the subject. The cards were almost certainly printed inexpensively and have a low-quality appearance.

Because the subjects were Australian fighters, most names will not be familiar to American collectors. And in addition to boxers, the set included some cards of those affiliated with the sport but not necessarily fighting in the ring. For example, one card features George Player, who was, as the card describes, ‘a leading trainer of the north, with several coming champions.’ Another unique aspect to the set was that, similar to what the 1889 Kimball Champions (N184) set did, they recognized some child participants. One of those was then 14-year old George Pringle.

One notable checklisting point should not confuse collectors. A card exists for a fighter named Packy McFarlan. However, he should not be confused with the more famous American fighter, Packey McFarland. Though fighting loosely in the same time period, this was not the same fighter. That is similar for a card of Jack Johnson — he is not the legendary black American champion Johnson.

A few other oddities are known in the set. Two pairs of brothers, Billy and Cess Yates, and Don and Frank Burns, are found in it. Additionally, a few cards were also memorials as fighters had passed away before the set was produced.

The cards are not numbered and I have not been able to confirm how many might be in the set or even from what the set comes from. But a special offer on the back gives some clue to the former.

The company was willing to exchange a ‘new complete set’ of the cards mounted on art board in exchange for 50 assorted cards. That could mean that a card was shortlisted in order to limit the number of prizes offered but I have not been able to confirm that.

The cards are abundantly scarce and complete sets, even in low-grade condition, can sell for hundreds of dollars. Asking prices for better sets can be more than $1,000.

Variation

A second variation of this set is also known.

The main cards have a red and white decorative border. However, a variation of them has a solid red border. These cards seem even rarer and tougher to find. The cards feature the same pictures on the front for fighters that are duplicated (it is not known if every card is found with both variations).

Backs for the solid red bordered cards are also different. Those have a similar but different advertisement printed in blue ink as opposed to the black-ink backs on the other cards.