Sterling Sports Auctions #36
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/17/2014
This English language set was issued while the Philippines were a US Commonwealth (similar to Puerto Rico today), likely to sell to the Americans living there. The format is similar to Goudey sets of the 1930s. Issued by American Sweets, Inc., in Manila, it is advertised on the wrapper as 140 cards but the card backs say 250 cards of fighters, wrestlers and exercises. Nowhere near that many cards were ever made. The issue is among the rarest boxing types because right around the issue date the Japanese invaded the Philippines. Only 40 cards are known from the set, nearly all of which are one-of-one examples from a single find. Offered here is one of them, a card of HOFer Joe Gans, one of the great African-American fighters of the early 20th century, and the only known specimen. SGC Authentic
1938 American Sweets #40 Joe Gans ACC NX5 SGC Authentic
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