1909 James Jeffries Playing Cards Set and Checklist

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

It’s in the Details

Title	James Jeffries Playing Cards
Year	1909
Size	2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Images	Black and White
Type	Game Cards
Number in Set	54

1909 James Jeffries Playing Cards Overview

James Jeffries Playing Cards Boxing John Sullivan These playing cards were endorsed by famous boxer James Jeffries and featured some of the popular boxers of the early 1900s.

Cards were issued by his W.P. Jeffries Company, as indicated on a title card for the set. As indicated on an insert, the company held offices in the Jeffries Company Building at 117 Winston Street in Los Angeles. The company sold a complete set of the game for $1.00.

Utilizing a simple playing card design, the cards featured a black and white image on one side with suits and denominations following a standard playing card format (Ace through King). The cards were issued in both red boxes and blue boxes.

The design is noteworthy in that it was copied from at least one other set. The 1907 M. Rieder California Souvenir playing cards used this same design with the same oval/caption font to create a deck. Those cards are, however, less desirable as they are a non-sports issue.

Some of the cards are individual boxers while others feature two boxers on one card in a bout. And Jeffries, of course, is featured on several cards. Highlights of the set include Jack Dempsey and John Sullivan. No individual card was given to Jack Johnson, who was the heavyweight champion of the time. Racism may have been behind that as Johnson is simply pictured on a single card with another black boxer Sam McVey with the two simply being called tar babies.

A 53rd card is also included featuring Jeffries himself as the featured boxer. That 53rd card is a Joker and includes Jeffries’ replica autograph with a ‘Yours Truly’ inscription. Finally, a 54th card includes a title card for the game.

The backs of each card featured the same image – a portrait pose of Jeffries with his name inside of an ornate oval design and a striking red background.

As the cards had standard rounded playing card corners, like other pre-war playing card issues, these are often found in tremendous shape. As a result, high-grade cards are special, but do not often sell for outrageous amounts. High-grade commons can often be purchased for as little as $15-$25.