The 1935 Amalgamated Press “Sportsmen of the World” set is a scarce British multi-sport trade card series of 32 unnumbered cards, distributed through Amalgamated Press publications like The Champion. The cards feature colorful artwork on the front with biographical details on the back. These were hand-cut cards, often coming from uncut sheets or strips in magazines, giving them irregular edges typical of collector-cut issues from the period. Generally, the cards measure around 67mm x 36mm and highlight global stars from cricket, auto racing, football/soccer, and several other sports.
The companion The Champion Album of Sportsmen of the World was a promotional binder or folder (tied to The Champion magazine) with dedicated slots or holders designed to securely hold the loose cards in place—no pasting required. This non-adhesive mounting system preserved the cards while allowing easy organization and viewing, though complete albums with all cards intact are rare today due to heavy use or loss over time.
This elegant 1930s British set and album reflect the era’s enthusiasm for international sports heroes, with strong appeal to collectors of pre-war multi-sport, cricket, or motorsport ephemera. High-grade examples remain tough to source, and PSA-graded populations are low, underscoring the set’s historical charm and scarcity.
The Champion Album of Sportsmen of the World includes two dedicated pages devoted to auto racing heroes, showcasing a total of four cards from the 1935 set that highlight prominent figures in early motorsports and related speed pursuits.
