Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Philadelphia Caramel 27 Scrappers
Year	1910
Size	1 1/2″ x 2 5/8″
Images	Color
Type	Candy/Caramel
Number in Set	21

1910 Philadelphia Caramels 27 Scrappers Overview

This set is one of the more collected caramel issues for boxing cards. Created by Philadelphia Caramel in 1910, the set features the most prominent boxers of the time. The set is closely related to Philadelphia Caramel’s E80 set, also produced in the same year. The two sets share some similar cards.

Like their baseball counterparts, the cards have excellent lithography resulting in stunning cards. And similar to those baseball cards, these have the trademark white borders. The subject is mentioned at the bottom of the card. The backs have a checklist of the boxers featured as well as some boxing rules. Backs are found in both red and black ink, though the black ones are more common.

Many stars are found in the set but it is headlined by the legendary Jack Johnson. In addition to boxers, it is also an instructional set of sorts. Backs, as stated, have boxing rules on them. Some of the cards also show proper technique.

The number of cards in the set has confused many collectors. It even confused Jefferson Burdick, author of the American Card Catalog. While the set is called an issue of ’27 scrappers’, only 21 cards exist. There are 27 different boxers featured and some cards have more than one boxer pictured.

The set is anchored by three cards of the legendary Jack Johnson. But others, including the card of Abe Attell, who was involved as a middle man in the fix of the 1919 World Series, are also desired.

Joe Jeanette vs. Joe Jeannette

At least one small typo exists in the set, surrounding the card of Hall of Famer Joe Jeanette. His name is spelled as Jeanette on the front of the card but as Jeannette in the checklist on the back.

This type of thing was frequent with his cards and he has cards with both used throughout his career. The interesting thing about this card, of course, is that both spellings are used. The variation is in both the red ink cards and the black ink ones.

Shockingly, this was not an entirely unique occurrence. This instance was also seen on some of Jeanette’s T218 cards. On most of those cards, Jeanette’s name is spelled with two Ns and two Ts on both the front and back. However, on a few, his name uses only one N on the back while the two N version is on the front.

Which is correct? I’ve seen his name spelled as Jennette, Jeanette, and Jeannette, and have never seen a definitive spelling.

1910 Philadelphia Caramels 27 Scrappers Checklist

1. Abe Attell
2. Arm and Clenched Fist (Right Way)
3. Arm and Clenched Fist (Wrong Way)
4. Tommy Burns
5. Young Corbett
6. Bob Fitzsimmons
7. Gans and Nelson
8. Marvin Hart
9. James Jeffries
10. Joe Jeanette
11. Jack Johnson
12. Jack Johnson and Burns
13. Jack Johnson and George Cole
14. Al Kaufman and Mike Sullivan
15. Stanley Ketchel
16. Sam Langford
17. Johnny Marto and Battling Nelson
18. Jack O’Brien and Fighting Partner
19. Rawlins
20. Sharkey
21. Twin Sullivan

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