The 1926 Spalding Champions set (also known as Sports Company of America) is a large multi-sport promotional issue with about 210 known cards, featuring athletes from various sports including baseball, football, boxing, and racing. The cards measure approximately 1-1/2″ x 2-3/16″ (38mm x 56mm). Fronts show black-and-white posed photos in a framed design with “Champion” at the top and the subject’s name and sport at the bottom.
Backs primarily feature a short biography of the athlete, but variations exist: scarcer ad backs promote the Sports Company of America and offer an album for collecting cards (via mailing in cards and payment), while some cards have blank backs. Copyright notices on bio backs typically read 1926, though a few subjects appear with a 1927 date as a variation.
The set includes eight automobile racing cards, depicting Earl Cooper, Ralph DePalma, Pete DePaolo, Harry Hartz, Benny Hill, Bob McDonogh, Barney Oldfield, and Tommy Milton. There are also two additional motorcycle racing cards, featuring Ralph Hepburn and Johnny Seymour—both of whom later transitioned to automobile racing later in their careers.
Roaring Twenties Racing Royalty in the 1926 Spalding Champions Set