The 1935 National Chicle Football set holds a revered place in hobby history as the first major gum issue dedicated to professional football. The 36-card set, produced by National Chicle of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its dynamic, colorful artwork, and each card back features a playing tip written by Eddie Casey, coach of the Boston Redskins and former Harvard coach.

Card #22 features John "Shipwreck" Kelley, the colorful captain of the Brooklyn Dodgers football club. A star at the University of Kentucky, Kelley was famous for his high-stepping, knee-pumping running style, which the reverse describes as his "sewing machine" style, one that "forces tacklers to reach high to avoid being injured." The text also notes that he usually played without a headgear, "making his blond thatch of hair a familiar mark for the spectators." 

The front is one of the most exciting images in the set, depicting Kelley lunging forward with the ball tucked in his arm as two blue-clad defenders close in, all set against a vivid orange background with goalposts in the distance. The color is brilliant throughout and the registration is sharp.

This NM 7 example is exceptional for a set that is famously difficult to find in high grade. The borders are clean, the corners are sharp and the centering is excellent. The reverse displays bold blue ink on clean card stock. A beautiful high-grade card from the most important early football set. Graded NM 7 by PSA.