Description:


Up for sale is an authentic piece of boxing and Canadian confectionery history: a 1923-24 Willard's Chocolates "Prizefighters" (V137) card featuring the legendary Argentine heavyweight Luis Ángel Firpo, graded SGC 50 VG/EX 4.


The Card:


· Set: 1923-24 Willard's Chocolates V137 (Toronto, Canada)

· Subject: #13 Luis Firpo

· Grade: SGC 50 VG/EX 4

· Certification: SG LLC 1261623-033


The Story:

Luis Firpo—"The Wild Bull of the Pampas"—is forever etched into boxing lore for one of the most dramatic moments in sports history. On September 14, 1923, before a roaring crowd of 80,000 at the Polo Grounds, Firpo knocked heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey clean through the ropes. Dempsey landed on a reporter's typewriter and was famously shoved back into the ring by the press corps, escaping a count-out and ultimately winning the fight. The controversy and chaos of that night have kept Firpo's name alive for over a century.


This card was issued by Willard's Chocolates of Toronto in 1923-24, capturing Firpo at the very height of his fame, fresh off that legendary bout.


The Set:

The 1923-24 Willard's Chocolates V137 "Prizefighters" set is one of the most desirable and condition-sensitive Canadian issues of the pre-war era. These thin paper cards were inserted directly into chocolate bars, making clean, uncreased, unstained examples exceptionally scarce. The set features icons from across the sporting world, including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Jack Dempsey.


The Grade:

Graded SGC 50 VG/EX 4, this card presents beautifully for the grade. The black-and-white image of Firpo is sharp and clean. The corners show honest, age-appropriate rounding with no major creases or paper loss. Crucially, this example has escaped the chocolate staining and surface damage that plague so many cards from this issue. Encapsulated in SGC's signature "tuxedo" holder—the preferred grading company for pre-war and obscure Canadian issues—this card displays exceptionally well.


The Condition Summary:


· Centering: Well within acceptable range for this notoriously off-center issue.

· Corners: Soft rounding, consistent with VG/EX designation.

· Surface: Clean image. No distracting stains, creases, or chocolate residue.

· Back: Crisp chocolate advertisement text. Fully legible.


Why This Card Matters:


· A tangible piece of the Dempsey-Firpo legend—one of boxing's most iconic rivalries.

· An exceptionally scarce Canadian chocolate issue, rarely found in graded condition.

· Encapsulated by SGC, the trusted authority for vintage and niche pre-war cards.

· A must-have for serious boxing collectors, Canadian sports historians, or anyone who appreciates the wild, unscripted drama of early 20th-century sport.


Shipping:


· Ships securely from Canada via Canada Post letter-mail or tracked parcel (buyer's choice).

· Combined shipping available for multiple purchases.


Don't miss your chance to own a graded piece of the fight that nearly dethroned a legend. The Wild Bull of the Pampas awaits.