Boys’ Magazine (1922-34)

First published in 1922 by E. Hulton & Co. Ltd, Shoe Lane, London, “Boys’ Magazine” ran weekly until 1934 at which point it was incorporated into “Champion”.

Further information on the magazine can be found at the most excellent “Comic Book+” site by following this link.

During the 1920’s it published several sets of collectors “cards”, all based around sport.

Known sets are listed below.

#1. Arsenal

#2. Aston Villa

#3. Birmingham City

#4. Bolton Wanderers

#5. Burnley

#6. Cardiff City

#7. Celtic

#8. Chelsea

#9. Clapton Orient

#10. Everton

#11. Fulham

#12. Heart of Midlothian

#13. Leeds United

#14. Liverpool

#15. Manchester City

#16. Manchester United

#17. Partick Thistle

#18. Portsmouth

#19. Preston North End

#20. Sheffield United

#21. Sunderland

#22. Swansea Town

#23. Tottenham Hotspur

#24. West Ham United

This was the magazine’s first foray into publishing trade cards, and is a very small set of just 8 hand coloured cards.

Players include Sammy Brooks (Tottenham Hotspur), H. Chambers (Liverpool), W. Cringan (Celtic), J. Dawson (Burnley), Mick Hammill (Manchester City), Alfred Harland (Everton), F.R. Osborne (Fulham) and R.S. Yorke (Aston Villa)

Released in 1922, this series of 30 pictures was originally issued in strips of 3 and were designed to be cut apart, which they usually are.

Size is a little random as it depends on the skill of the person cutting the sheets apart, but a single cut apart picture is approximately 70mm x 48mm. Plain backs.

Released in 1923, this series of 6 cards features team pictures of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Sunderland, West Ham United, Manchester City and Huddersfield Town.

Card size is approximately 130mm x 73mm. Plain backs.

Released in 1923, this series of 64 pictures was originally issued in blocks of 4 and were designed to be cut apart, which they usually are.

Size is a little random as it depends on the skill of the person cutting the sheets apart, but a single cut apart picture is approximately 70mm x 48mm. Plain backs.

Released in 1922, this series of 10 cards features team pictures of Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Bolton Wanderers, Edinburgh Hibernian, Sunderland, Fulham, Birmingham City, Sheffield United, England and Arsenal.

Interestingly Card #3 (Bolton Wanderers) is titled “Football Teams” when the other 9 cards are titled “Football Series”, and the card also refers to next weeks card as being West Ham United, when in fact it was Edinburgh Hibernian. It appears the West Ham card was never issued.

Released c1926, this series of 10 pictures features famous cricketers of the day

Cards are approx 77mm x 47mm and have plain backs

Released in 1928, this series of 10 pictures features famous cricketers of the day

Released in c1930, the first series of 12 pictures features famous cricketers of the day.