Soccer Rookie Card, Briggs football shield, Arthur Wharton, PNE & Darlington, World Record holder,

Soccer Rookie Card, Briggs football shield, Arthur Wharton, PNE & Darlington, World Record holder, shaped card, 'Play Up Darlington' showing 100 yards Amateur Running Champion & Darlington goalkeeper Arthur Wharton. This is believed to be one of the earliest known football cards and it also portrays the first black player to appear on a card. Issued in the 1880's this is an iconic card as Wharton was a World Record sprinter and renowned goalkeeper. He later became a member of the Preston North End Invincibles side of 1888/89 and who would have probably played for England had it not been for the colour of his skin. A scarce opportunity to obtain a real piece of football history!. From the McGregor Bonner Collection. (some light creasing around edges, gen. gd) (1)