As the calendar turned to the 1880’s, Allen & Ginter began producing cards and albums which many consider to be the most artistic and beautiful of all tobacco-era cards. Exhibiting great color and attention to detail, their offerings quickly set a standard that few competitors could even dream of approaching. This lot offers 7 selected pages from their vaunted ‘World Champions’ album from 1887; each page depicts 4-5 athletes from the sports of cycling, wrestling, running and swimming – all told, 30 world-class athletes on display. The pages themselves are clean, bright, with outstanding colors, overall in VG-EX to EX condition, with several pages showing a ¼” tear where they might have been torn from a string binding. All backs are clean, cream-colored and, except for the slight tears previously mentioned, essentially problem-free. Also included are 6 Mecca Cigarettes ‘Champion Athletes and Prizefighters’, along with a handful of tobacco boxing cards, all in about VG-EX condition. All in all, very beautiful 100-year old relics from long ago - ready to be enjoyed in your display case!