The 1935 National Chicle football set is quite possibly the most important football set ever manufactured. Weighing in at just 36 players the checklist features some of the game"s biggest names first-year cards of virtually every key subject in the set and also contains the hobby"s most valuable and treasured card - the legendary #34 Bronko Nagurski (a featured item in this auction).Featuring colorful art deco artwork that was typical of the "modern" style of the day the overall design of the 1935 football cards was in many ways identical to the National Chicle baseball set of 1934-36 and also very similar to their Sky Birds cards of 1933. Despite being printed on heavy stock high-grade examples are difficult to come by particularly in the scarce high-number series. Evidence suggests that the scarcity of the high number series is due to those cards being available only in the cities where that series" players played. We are thrilled to offer an outstanding selection of high-grade National Chicles including a run of scarce high numbers and a Nagurski in our inaugural auction.A mere look at the grading company population reports will provide a clear illustration of the scarcity of the set"s high numbers. Despite the grade (which is lower than that of several of our other Chicle high number cards) this Ernie Smith is virtually as scarce in 7 as some other cards are in 8 - high-grade National Chicle Ernie Smith cards are virtually nonexistent. Indeed a mere handful have become available in the market over the past several years. With all the attributes of a very strong 7 this card of Packers lineman Ernie Smith serves as a fantastic example of the issue"s art deco style with its colorful orange background. Population data:PSA Population: 81 total graded 7 at this level 8 higherSGC Population: 19 total graded none at this level 2 higher