Tom Morris 1902 F & J. Smith's Champions of Sport Cigarette Card #22 w/Red Back
Seldom seen and highly coveted in the emerging pre-war golf card category is this United Kingdom hailing hobby entry before you; the Tom Morris 1902 F&J Smith's Champions of Sport Cigarette Card #22 with a red back!
Let's get right into the numbers. There are a grand total of (19) examples of the set's headlining (Old) Tom Morris card throughout the three backside variations in the PSA pop report 122 years since print (black, blue and red which this example is). This would make (20) in all. The breakdown: (10) of blue back #N/A, now (9) of red back #22, and (1) of black back #22 for a grand total of (20). For context, compare this (20 count) to the 1900 Cope's Tom Morris rookie card only two years prior of (58) total including (8) narrow-cut - tallying more than twice as many as the F&J Smith before you. Wow.
The 1902 F&J Smith's black border frontside 'Champions of Sport' set unsurprisingly spanned across the world of sport in its checklist of 50 cards that included Harry Vardon, JH Taylor, John Ball and other leading turn-of-the-century golfers. Please inspect the accompanying lot photos for a detailed condition report of this card with a strong image. When these scarce (Old) Tom Morris 1902 F&J Smith's hit the market, almost never, collectors and investors do what it takes to acquire it.
More on 'The Grand Old Man of Golf' and 19th century pioneer of golf himself is as follows. He did it all. The British Open winner, club maker, green-keeper, and course designer was perhaps the most influential figure in the history of golf. Allan Robertson taught Tom the golf trade, from making feathery golf balls to clubs. After leaving St. Andrews in 1851 to his new position at Prestwick Golf Club, he eventually returned in 1865. With the new skills learned at Prestwick, Tom went about rejuvenating St Andrews by establishing separate tee boxes on each hole, widening the fairways, enlarging the greens and building two new ones and actively managing the hazards. Tom introduced many of the course design ideas that are the blue print for today's modern designers, creating the 18 hole course (St Andrews had originally 22 holes) and having each nine holes return to the club house.
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