1902 | W.C. Athersmith | W.D. & H.O. Wills | Football Series |#16 | PSA 5

A 1902 Aston Villa legend - Charlie Athersmith - on a collectible with only 19 cards ever graded at PSA. Own a piece of football history. This rare cigarette card from the iconic 1902 W.D. & H.O. Wills Football Series features W.C. Athersmith, a celebrated member of Aston Villa’s Cup and League-winning team. Graded EX 5 by PSA, this card offers exceptional preservation for a 120+ year-old collectible.

📌 Card Details:

• Player: W.C. Athersmith (Aston Villa, formerly Small Heath)
• Series: W.D. & H.O. Wills Football Series (1902)
• Card Number: #16 of 66
• Back Variant: Wild Woodbine advertising reverse
• Grading: PSA EX 5 (Certification #85698861)
• Dimensions: Approx. 56mm x 35mm
• Issuer: Imperial Tobacco Co. (Great Britain & Ireland)

🔍 Historical Significance:

• Among the earliest football-themed cigarette cards ever issued
• Features dual provenance: Aston Villa and Small Heath (now Birmingham City)
• Part of a 66-card set blending football and rugby legends
• Reverse side promotes Wild Woodbine cigarettes — a snapshot of Edwardian advertising culture

💎 Collector Appeal:

• PSA-graded examples from this series are exceptionally scarce
• Ideal for collectors of pre-war football memorabilia, Edwardian ephemera, or tobacco card history
• Athersmith’s legacy with Aston Villa adds club-specific appeal - W.C. Athersmith (William Charles Athersmith Harper), known as Charlie Athersmith, was a legendary winger for Aston Villa and England in the late 19th century. He played a pivotal role in Villa’s dominance during the 1890s and remains one of the most decorated players of his era.

🧠 Player Profile: Charlie Athersmith

• Full Name: William Charles Athersmith Harper
• Born: 10 May 1872, Bloxwich, Staffordshire
• Died: 18 September 1910, aged 38
• Position: Outside Right (Winger)
• Clubs:• Aston Villa (1891–1901): 307 appearances, 85 goals
• Small Heath (1901–1905): 106 appearances, 12 goals

• International Career:• England (1892–1900): 12 caps, 3 goals England 

🏆 Career Highlights

• Five Football League titles with Aston Villa (1894, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900)
• Two FA Cups

📦 Shipping & Handling:

• Securely shipped in PSA slab with protective packaging
• Tracked and insured delivery available worldwide

💬 Questions or Offers?

Feel free to reach out for provenance details, bundle options, or trade inquiries. This card is part of a curated selection of vintage football rarities.