1925 Cains Sweets Rugby

Back in 1925, the Cains Confectionery Company, a local business based in Camperdown, put out a set of 36 dedicated Rugby League cards. Only a few years earlier, PALS Periodicals produced a sports set that predominantly included Australian Rules Footballers, however there were two rugby league players included Harold Horder and Reg Snowy Latta.

There are a number of standouts in this Cains set. Firstly, ‘The Wizard’ Duncan Thompson who captained the North Sydney Bears to a premiership in 1922. Reg “Whip” Latta, a five time premiership player with the Balmain Tigers. Also worth noting, is Alf Blair, who captained the South Sydney Rabbitohs to a premiership in 1925.  That team actually had a perfect season – not a single loss or even a draw! And don’t forget his Hall of Fame teammate Cec Blinkhorn, also in this set!

The card stock is reminiscent of cards from the 1920’s era, they’re super thin and look and feels a lot like the VFL/VFA “Suburban Premium” card set from Victoria.

Interestingly, there might be some error cards out there where “Camperdown” is misspelled as “Comperdown.” Those ones with printing on the back may also have slightly different fonts.

The ones we’ve got look the same on the front, but they’re blank on the back – probably proof cards cut from an original sheet. The size is the same, but it looks like someone trimmed them down closer to the printed border at some point over their 100 year journey.

It's also worthy noting the same company also released a VFL set in 1926, with 36 cards featuring just two teams: Collingwood and Fitzroy. These cards are also quite scarce and eagerly sought after when they too, become available for sale.