1924-25 Champ's Cigarettes C144 Hockey Checklist Overview
The 1924–25 Champ's Cigarettes C144 Hockey set is a cornerstone of early hockey card collecting, offering a rare glimpse into the NHL's formative years. Issued during the 1924–25 season, this 60-card set features sepia-toned portraits of players and includes several Hall of Fame rookies, making it a prized collection for enthusiasts.
The C144 set boasts an impressive lineup of rookie cards, including:
Howie Morenz – Known as "The Stratford Streak," Morenz was one of hockey's first superstars and a Hall of Famer.
King Clancy – A versatile player who excelled both as a defenseman and forward, later becoming a successful coach and referee.
Georges Vézina – The legendary goaltender for whom the Vezina Trophy is named, awarded annually to the NHL's top goaltender.
Aurel Joliat – A dynamic left winger who played a pivotal role in the Montreal Canadiens' early success.
Clarence "Hap" Day – A stalwart defenseman for the Toronto St. Patricks, Day later became a successful coach and executive, earning Hall of Fame honors.
Alex Connell – Nicknamed "The Ottawa Fireman," Connell was a standout goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, known for his remarkable shutout streaks and Hall of Fame career.
The Stanley Cup Card – Unique to this set, the inclusion of a card dedicated solely to the Stanley Cup itself is a rarity in hockey card productions.
Released relatively late for a tobacco card series, the C144 set is distinguished by its explicit branding, with "Champ's Cigarettes" prominently displayed on the card backs. This clarity in origin was uncommon for tobacco cards of that era, adding to the set's uniqueness. Its scarcity today makes it highly sought after by collectors.
Each card in the C144 set showcases:
Front Design: Sepia-toned photographs of players set against a white border, with the player's name inscribed below the image.
Back Design: Features the "Champ's Cigarettes" brand name, the card's sequence within the 60-card series, the player's name, a concise biography, a description of a hockey rule, and an advertisement for the Tobacco Products Corp. of Canada.
These cards were distributed as premiums with Champ's Cigarettes products, a brand under the Tobacco Products Corp. of Canada. This method of distribution was typical for the time, aiming to boost product sales by including collectible cards that appealed to consumers and sports enthusiasts alike.
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