1887 G20 Allen and Ginter "The World's Champions" Advertising Banner. ...

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1887 G20 Allen and Ginter "The World's Champions" Advertising Banner. With gorgeous Victorian-era lithography and portraiture featuring an intriguing assortment of 19th century sporting legends, the N28 Allen & Ginter "The World's Champions" set is considered one of the true masterpieces of the early trading card hobby. Among the baseball stars pictured are eventual Cooperstown fixtures Cap Anson, John Clarkson, Charles Comiskey, Tim Keefe, Mike "King" Kelly and John Ward. John L. Sullivan anchors the roster of bare-knuckle pugilists, while "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Annie Oakley provide firepower for the gun enthusiast. The historical significance of a promotion (one of the very first) to exclusively feature athletic subjects needs no further explication.

Though as uncommon as is the sight of the full complement of fifty cards may be, such a collection is rendered downright ordinary in contrast to this glorious advertising poster produced to build consumer enthusiasm for the collecting process. Posters such as these would have adorned the walls of the local cigar shop back during the presidency of Grover Cleveland, encouraging smokers to puff their way toward fulfillment of the set. While Heritage has had the good fortune of presenting other advertising posters from the Allen & Ginter family at auction, this offering is just the second "World's Champions" representation and is unquestionably the most coveted of the group.

History has proven the slim prospects for survival these 16" x 28" posters, crafted from lightweight paper truly are. Chipping and areas of stock loss affect the outer perimeter. There are mounting hole at the top and bottom. A scattering of creases does exist but remain largely unobtrusive within the central image of the poster causing modest distraction. The banner is laminated and as best we can determine there is no color enhancement or other alteration. Colors remain saturated and vivid. Professional restoration could effectively return the poster to a stunning appearance.