Vintage Card Haul # 1 - 1935 Topical Times

Every passionate card collectors has their wishes and dreams - mine of course is to have every player who every appeared on cardboard all visible in one showcase. Well, one can dream, right ?

 

For now, the quest continues.

 

I search for gems to add to my collection but also cards that can be utilized as a teaching tool or informational artifact.  While a good portion of pre-war cards are either a portrait picture or distant action shot of a player, only a few sets depict these men in full uniform from head to toe on a larger scale.

 

This is the case with the TOPICAL TIMES Series of the mid-1930's.

 

1935 Topical Times Panel Portraits

 

These over-sized cards measuring 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches, are fantastic historical images of the style of jerseys, shorts, socks and boots of the times. In addition, the background stadiums are often clearly identifiable.

 

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this bunch of 15 cards for a downright steal. While the group has no "Hall of Famers" so to speak, it contains several top name clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

 

There are also several known and lesser known international players which cover the all British Isles.  Here are the players, some with their respective number of caps and accomplishment:

 

James Argue - Chelsea

Sam Barkas - Manchester City - 5 England caps

George Cummings - Aston Villa - 9 Scotland Caps

"Mickey" Fenton - Middlesborough - 1 England cap / 100 + league goals

Bob Hesford - Huddersfield Town

Jim Harley - Liverpool

Len Goulden - West Ham United - 14 England caps

Charlie Fletcher - Plymouth Argyle

Tom Holley - Leeds United

Alf Kirchen - Arsenal - 3 England caps

Sid Lawrence - Swansea Town - 8 Wales caps

Walter Millership - Sheffield Wednesday

Alex Stevenson - Everton - 26 caps (7 Ireland /19 Northern Ireland)

Fred Sharman Leicester City

Robert Pryde - Blackburn Rovers 

 

Click on the above pictures to get a closer look at these beauties.