The Billiken Cigarettes issue of 1923-24 was a Cuban-issued set that featured 2" x 2 5/8" cards depicting 60 players from the Cuban Professional League.  Each black and white glossy photo features an ad on the reverse, either for Billiken, or, less frequently, La Moda Cigarettes.  One of the more popular and highly-prized Cuban League issue, this set includes many stars of the American Negro Leagues, including the key card of Oscar Charleston, along with Jose Mendez, Cristobal Torriente, Andy Cooper and, of course, Pop Lloyd.

John Henry "Pop" Lloyd is one of the most important of all Negro League players.  Ranked #27 on Bill James' list of all-time greats, Lloyd is credited with a .343 batting average across a 27-year career, a lightning-fast baserunner and elite defender.  Considered the greatest shortstop in Negro League history, Babe Ruth was thought to believe Lloyd to be the greatest player ever.  Lloyd was often called the "Black Honus Wagner" by some, a nickname to which Wagner himself famously replied "it's an honor to be compared with him."  Lloyd's cards have become more visible in the hobby after our 2023 sale of a 1910 Punch Cigarros example for more than $120,000.

With just 13 examples of Pop Lloyd's Billiken card graded by SGC, and four more by PSA, this is an unquestionably rare card.  Visible surface wear is evident; underneath the SGC holder it is difficult to discern whether the wear is a substance on the card or paper loss, though our ability to see the left rule line underneath the white mark leads us to believe it is a substance.  The image itself is strong and clear, with excellent contrast, the corners exhibiting some light wear.  A few stray marks are visible on the reverse, along with some light staining.  As is the case with virtually all Caribbean cards, the Billiken cards are typically found with all manner of flaws, typically insect holes, creases, marks and stains are quite common.  Obtaining the card in any grade is a challenge, as evidenced by the fact that SGC has graded a total of 544 cards from the Billiken issue, yet only 19 have graded EX/MT or better.  

A true treasure, an important card of one of the key Hall of Famers with his background in the Negro Leagues, and one of the all-time greats of the Cuban League.