1914 Carreras / Black Cat Science of Boxing Set and Checklist
‘It’s In The Details’
Title | Carreras / Black Cat Science of Boxing |
Year | 1914 |
Size | 1 3/8″ x 2 1/2″ |
Images | Color |
Type | Tobacco |
Number in Set |
50 |
1914 Carreras / Black Cat Science of Boxing Overview
This was one of several instructional sports sets of the pre-war era, focusing on various positions and boxing moves.
The cards were printed by Carreras Limited, a tobacco company based out of London, England. The set was produced for two brands of cigarettes – Carreras and Black Cat. As a result, there are two different variations of the cards. The Black Cat Cigarettes cards have that name at the top and Carreras at the bottom. Meanwhile, the Carreras Cigarettes cards have the Carreras name at both the top and the bottom.
Titled ‘The Science of Boxing Series,’ each card provided some instructional teaching for collectors. Fronts of the cards depicted a specific move or attack/defense in boxing. The backs offered a descriptive narrative about what was shown in the picture.
The cards are not seen too often here in the U.S. but typically aren’t sold for more than a few bucks a piece. Part of the reason for the relatively low price (given the age) is because generic pictures of boxers are used instead of actual images of real athletes.
The exact date of issue is not entirely known. Some sources state this is a 1914 set while others say 1916.
1914 Carreras / Black Cat Science of Boxing Checklist
- On guard position
- Stepping in
- Left lead at head
- Left lead at mark
- A double lead – left to jaw with right to follow
- A double lead – left to jaw with right to follow to ribs
- A double lead – left to mark with right to follow to jaw
- Ducking a left swing
- Side stepping
- Slipping a left lead countering with left to mark
- Slipping a left lead countering with left to jaw
- Right hand cross counter
- Side stepping to left and countering with right
- Blocking a left lead
- Knocking down a left lead
- Right lead side stepped
- Stopping attack by straight left to chin
- Deviating a left lead at head
- Back moving a left lead
- Left hook to jaw
- Left hook to mark
- Right hand uppercut
- Stopping a right hand body swing
- Stopping a left swing
- Left hand twist punch for chin
- Full body swing
- Side stepping left lead to head
- Right uppercut to jaw
- Jumping back from left to face
- Blocking left hook and right hook simultaneously
- Short left for body
- Stopping right head lead
- Right hook to jaw
- Blocking double swing for head
- Making an opening
- An opening for in fighting
- Punch to heart followed by left to ribs
- Right arm jolt
- Double counter to right head lead
- A double clinch
- Punching left lead
- Right drive to mark
- Paralyzing opponent’s mark
- Right hammer blow to head
- Left step and right guard for left hook at jaw
- Side-stepping and pushing down left body lead
- The liver punch
- Stopping a left for head
- Left hand body punch after fainted left for head
- Step for left lead at mark
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