1910 C56

The 1910 C56 hockey tobacco card set consists of 36 pieces, each 1-1/2” by 2-5/8". Printed with a small white border, a richly colorful full-length or bust-length player portrait graces the series, with the player’s name and team identified at the bottom edge and its number at the upper left corner. The backs repeat the player's name and career affiliations below crossed hockey sticks, a puck and the identifier “Hockey Series.” Boasting a selection of the era’s stars and future Hall of Famers, the set is anchored by the rookie cards of Frank Patrick (#1), Percy Lesueur (#2), Art Ross (#8 and #12), Fred Taylor (#15), Lester Patrick (#26), Paddy Moran (#28), Ernest Johnson (#30), Bruce Ridpath (#34) and Newsy Lalonde (#36). The set also includes some mysterious entries, such as two cards devoted to little-known player Jack Marshall (#33 and #35). Not surprisingly, the first and last cards are among the most difficult to find in high grade, falling victim to the wear that falls upon items in these positions and expected staining. This unattributed Canadian tobacco issue is thought to have been issued by Imperial Tobacco, and though considered the first hockey card set is an elusive but integral segment of any advanced vintage hockey collection.