Muhammad Ali / Cassius Clay
The 1960 Hemmets Journal #23 is the true first. It is a Swedish hand-cut Olympic card issued while he was still Cassius Clay. The same issue family also includes Wilma Rudolph.
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1960 Hemmets Journal Sportens Stjarnor #23 Cassius Clay
True first. Swedish hand-cut from a four-athlete panel that also includes Wilma Rudolph. Most demanded early Ali card.
Hand-cut / magazine card · Considered the first
- 2
1962 Swedish Rekord Journal Cassius Clay (solo or panel with Kjell Jarlenius)
Next Swedish issue. Still very early. Also hand-cut from a journal.
Hand-cut / magazine card
- 3
1962 Po-Po / Editorial Bruguera boxing disc and other 1962 foreign issues
Early foreign small-format pieces from the same window.
Card / disc
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1964-65 Name-change window foreign cards (Dutch Gum, Italian Lampo, Slania, etc.)
Transition cards issued as Cassius Clay and early Ali.
Card
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1965-69 1960s European gum, candy, and sticker issues (Monty Gum, Perfetti, Bancroft Tiddlers, Panini)
Core 60s cardboard after the Swedish firsts.
Card / sticker
- 6
1970s-80s Major set appearances and Hall of Fame style cards
High visibility. Not firsts.
Card
- 7
1990s Later licensed boxing and retrospective cards
Completist.
Card
- 8
2000s+ Modern relics and autos
Last. Do not start here.
Card
Buy order
Hemmets Journal #23 is the target. If price is too high, 1962 Swedish Rekord is the next true early piece. Do not skip to modern relics.
Pop reality
Common trap: Calling a 1960s U.S. boxing common the rookie, or skipping Hemmets because it is hand-cut. PSA and SGC both grade it as a card.