This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
The complete set of 272 cards comprising the 1932 "Bulgaria Sport-Photos" series of German-issue tobacco cards is neatly adhered within the pages of this fascinating 9" x 12", 42-page softcover album produced by the manufacturer for the purpose of housing the collection. The black-and-white photo cards—fastened in their assigned places, 6 or 7 cards per page—afford an overview of the time's (primarily European) sporting stars and highlights, with track and field, tennis, horseracing, rugby, skiing, and bicycling just a few of the disciplines represented. The 1-9/16" x 2-5/16" cards' images are complemented by plenty of supplemental German-language text (and additional photographs) printed in the album. An indisputable "key" piece in the collection is card #256, which depicts Babe Ruth in Yankees uniform, along with boxing legend Max Schmeling. Other notables seen at a glance include: Bill Tilden (#160), Johnny Weissmuller (#165), Sonja Henie (#'s 193, 195), Walter Hagen (#219), Charles Lindbergh (#242) and Gertrude Ederle (#257). The cards exhibit generally EX to EX/MT or finer forward appearance (some lesser), and the prospects for their removal are uncertain; the album is VG in terms of presentation quality (with interior pages nicer) and its intact glassine interleaves continue to protect the cards' surfaces. A 3-1/4" x 5-1/2" photograph of a young athlete—smiling and holding a cigarette!—adorns the cover.