LoAFRS 1 – Bassett, Athersmith, and Devey

Legends of Association Football Rookie Series Group 1- Billy Bassett, Charlie Athersmith and John Devey

Well, where is the best place to start with the rookie cards of legends of association football league? How about the beginning? We will begin with “the big three”, arguably the three of the most important players in association football in the 1890s. Two of the players are not included in the legends of the game list, but I have decided to add them to the Rookie series as they were both great players and the relative importance of their cards

 The very first name of both my list and 100 Legends of Football League is a big one.

1. BIlly Bassett –  Football League Career 1888–1899

William Isaiah Bassett is a towering figure in association football both as a player and club chairman for West Bromwich Albion.  Bassett started playing for West Bromwich Albion in 1888 at only 19 years old, and he impressed everyone early.  He became known for his brilliant playmaking and sensational scoring and becoming the key figure of West Brom’s midfield.  Bassett shone so brightly that he earned 16 caps for the English team scoring 8 times. It is supposed that England didn’t always put forward their strongest team against the weaker opponents; otherwise, he would have likely received even more caps.

Billy Bassett is a true legend of the game and the perfect player to kick off this series.

Rookie card:  Year – 1896 – Manufacturer – Godfrey Phillips Ltd. – Set – General Interest – Card Number Unnumbered

Card Notes:

While Baines, Richardson, Briggs and Sharpe produced Shield type cards depicting association football teams as early as 1887, with the exception of the unverified Duncan McClean Field Favorites card from Liverpool in 1882, the Godfrey Phillips set are among the earliest cigarette cards profiling players. Only two players were selected for the General Interest series, the first being Billy Bassett as these two wingers faced off in the 1895 FA Cup. One interesting item to note from this card is that he is wearing his England Three Lion’s uniform as can be seen on his left-hand pocket. It is very likely that the artist for this picture used the portrait that was taken for the book “Famous Footballers” and published in 1895.

Rookie card 2: Year 1896 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set – Guinea Gold Footballers Base M(d) Set 385s – Card # – Unnumbered – Blank Back

Card Notes:

It is difficult to determine the precise date that this series was issued; however, there is enough evidence to suggest that it was in the latter half of 1896 and possibly early as August. Personally I am inclined to believe this card came out slightly after the Godfrey Phillips. The reason has to do with the name. Bassett’s full name is William Isiah Bassett but his signature on the Godfrey Phillips resembles a J and not an I. I believe Ogden’s erroneously copied the name from the signature, which explains why he is listed as W.J. Bassett and not W.I. Bassett. It is also worth noting that Bassett is part of the wide caption variety of the Guinea Gold Footballers Base M(d) Set 385s: however, it is difficult to say with any certainty whether the wide caption or narrow caption were issued first.

2. Charlie Athersmith – Football League Career 1891–1905

Athersmith, like Bassett, was an attacking winger, who played a key role in the dominant Aston Villa team of the 1890s.  Aston Villa won the title 5 times between 1891 and 1900 as well as the FA Cup twice and Athersmith was a big part of the reason why. He was lightning fast, and relentless attacker which earned him 12 caps for his country.  He was the perfect complement to the next soccer legend on our list John Devey. 

Rookie card 1 – Year 1896 – Leon Marcus & Co. (Kinnear Ltd.)- Set – Football Club Colours– Card Number – Unnumbered

Card Notes:

The Charlie Athersmith card from the Marcus’s cigarettes was released in early to mid 1896 and predates the Godfrey Phillips General Interest Set which was released in December 1896. The Marcus card of Athersmith is one of 3 Aston Villa cards, along with Bob Chatt and John Devey, issued in the 25 card series (the remaining teams only have two cards). Aston Villa were likely given this distinction due to winning the FA Cup in 1895. Although Athersmith is unnamed, it is clear that he is the subject of the card and the artist did a remarkably good job to capture his likeness.

Rookie card 2:  Year – 1896 – Manufacturer – Godfrey Phillips Ltd. – Set – General Interest – Card Number Unnumbered

Card Notes:

The partner card to the Godfrey Phillip’s General Interest Bassett card mentioned above, this card likely came out slightly after the Marcus card. However, as it was released in the same year, I have updated to include it as a potential rookie card candidate. It’s a beautifully rendered portrait and one of the most iconic cards of the era.

Rookie card 3: Year 1896 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set – Guinea Gold Footballers Base M(d) Set 385s – Card # – Unnumbered – Blank Back

Card Notes:

Athersmith’s card is the narrow caption variety from this series. However, the mistake prone Odgen’s Cigarettes has listed him as CATHERSMITH when, in fact, it should be C Athersmith.

3. John Devey – Football League Career 1889 – 1902

John Devey, also called Jack, rounds out the first big three.  For whatever reason, Devey was not included in the 100 Legends of Football League; however, Devey was a scoring sensation for Aston Villa during the 1890s and is considered to be one of Aston’s Villa’s all-time great captains.  In fact, Devey played inside right/centre-forward and was Villa’s top goal scorer in 6 of his 12 seasons with the club. He was the best player on the best team for a decade, enough said.

Devey must have been an amazing all-around athlete as he was also a skilled cricketer and baseball player. 

Rookie Card: Year 1896 – Manufacturer – Leon Marcus &Co. (Kinnear Ltd.) – Set – Football Club and Colours – Card Number – Unnumbered

Card Notes:

Jack Devey’s first profile card is very unique as he was the only player profiled from the Marcus and Co. (later Kinnear Ltd.) Football Club Colours set.  This set has been traditionally dated 1898; however, it is likely a year earlier in 1896. Marcus and Co. Cigarette company was founded in early 1895 and purchased by Kinnear Ltd. only a year later.  It is important to note that some of the cards carry the Kinnear stamp in purple on the back whereas others do not. Kinnear became the principal shareholder in late 1895 and the cards were likely released in early to mid 1896.

There is much mystery around this card. First, his name is written as Davey as opposed to the proper spelling of Devey. Devey was likely profiled as he was the captain of the FA cup team that won in 1895.

Rookie card 2: Year 1896 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set – Guinea Gold Footballers Base M(d) Set 385s – Card # – Unnumbered – Blank Back

Card Notes:

Devey’s card is the narrow caption variety from this series. It was taken from a team photo at the beginning of the 1896 / 97 season suggesting the card must have been released some tome after August 1896.

The information provided is based upon research conducted on the subject; however, football cards and their issued dates should be considered vast evolving subject matter. I will update to the best of my knowledge as new information comes available, but no single source should be considered definitive. If you have comments or corrections, please contact me and I will do my best to provide the most accurate information available.