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1921-22 Memorabilia

D.C. THOMPSON & Co Ltd
Footballers Signed Real Photos

The 1921-22 season herald the start of the free comic give-aways, up until this period most football related memorabilia items were produced for the cigarette smoker. The publishing giants D.C. Thomson & Co Ltd are best known for their ‘Dandy’ and ‘Beano’ comics which hit the newsagents shelves in 1937 and 1938 respectively and are still going strong today.

 

The publishers first boys’ story paper was with ‘Adventure’ in 1921. The success of this paper led to five further publications, The Rover and The Wizard in 1922, The Vanguard in 1924, The Skipper in 1930 and The Hotspur in 1933.

In February 1922 Syd Puddefoot was the subject of West Ham’s first comic give-away hero, however it didn’t quite go according to plan. The centre-forward was depicted on a unique series of signed real photos as a West Ham United player at the time his card was issued with their English edition dated 25 February 1922. Within days he was transferred to Falkirk for a world record £5,000 fee and the boys paper hastily included him in the Scottish release, though the same picture showing him in Hammers’ attire was used for both cards.

Black glossy photographs, unnumbered series of 22 footballers.

Each card has a facsimile autograph on reverse and inscribed

"This unique Series of Signed Real Photos is presented by the favourite paper "

Adventure". 25 February 1922,  issue no. 24.  

Size: 69x44mm

Syd Puddefoot

SPORT and ADVENTURE
Famous Footballers

Coloured, numbered series of 46 Famous Footballers. Issued in strips of 3

(No's 1 - 42) and strips of 2 (No's 43-46) Dated 29/04/22 to 12/08/22.

Size 68x44mm

11. William Thirlaway

SPORT & GENERAL PRESS AGENCY Ltd
Footballers

Brown gravures, unnumbered series of 6 known cards. Anonymous

plain backs. Inscribed to front base "Sport & General"

Size 86x54mm

Syd Puddefoot

The MAGNET Library
Footballers

Black and white glossy photographs. Cards given free with the "Magnet" periodical dated 15th July 1922

Size 42x34mm

17. George Butcher

Please Note:

George Butcher (Luton Town) and Syd Puddefoot recently transferred to Falkirk, both former West Ham players although with new clubs at the time of the card release, are featured wearing their West Ham United shirts.

18. Syd Puddefoot

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