1923 Willard’s Chocolate Set (V100)

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	V100 Willard’s Chocolate
Year	1923
Size	2″ x 3 1/4″
Images	Sepia
Type	Canadian
Number in Set	180

1923 V100 Willard’s Chocolate Overview

The 1923 V100 Willard’s Chocolate set was a massive 180-card issue. Cards were sepia tone and the set was anchored by Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.

With nearly 200 cards, this was easily one of the larger Canadian candy issues. In addition to the Cobb and Ruth cards, other stars in the set included Grover Alexander, Home Run Baker, Dave Bancroft, Max Carey, Hugh Duffy, Johnny Evers, Frankie Frisch, Red Faber, Rogers Hornsby, Waite Hoyt, Miller Huggins, Walter Johnson, Connie Mack, Rabbit Maranville, Rube Marquard, John McGraw, Branch Rickey, Eppa Rixey, Joe Sewell, Tris Speaker, and Zack Wheat.

The backs of the cards were blank while the fronts included the player’s picture and name written in cursive font. Cards measure approximately 2″ wide x 3 1/4″ tall. Several of the photos used were from the popular E120 American Caramel set.

These cards are rare and PSA has graded only one or a handful of many cards in the entire set.

Football and Basketball?

While the set is a baseball issue, it indirectly has a football and basketball card of sorts.

Earle ‘Greasy’ Neale played in the major leagues from 1916 through 1924. But he also coached college football during that time and after his career ended. Neale would also go on to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.

As if that wasn’t enough, Neale also coached college basketball at Marietta College from 1919-21 and, after his major league career ended, coached collegiate baseball from 1923-29 at Virginia.

1919-21 was arguably his busiest time. He played mostly for the Cincinnati Reds but was dealt during the 1921 season to the Philadelphia Phillies. And during those years, he was also coaching college football and basketball at the same time. Finally, on top of that, he played pro football in 1919 with the Massillon Tigers. It would have been difficult to find a busier athlete at the time.

Babe Ruth Premium

A unique Babe Ruth premium is known for this set. Its origins are a little unclear but a photo approximately 7″ x 11″ in size features the slugger.

Premiums such as these were typically offered through a redemption program, either for cash or for the exchange of an item indicating proof of purchase. They are rarely seen.