1911 C55 #24 Sprague Cleghorn PSA EX 5

1911 C55 #24 Sprague Cleghorn PSA 5 – A Tough, Legendary Enforcer from Hockey’s Violent Origins

The 1911 C55 Imperial Tobacco series is one of the hobby’s most iconic pre-war hockey sets—an elite follow-up to the C56 and C54 issues that helped launch hockey card collecting. Card #24 features the rugged and controversial Sprague Cleghorn, a name forever etched into the fabric of early NHL history.

Cleghorn was not just tough—he was downright feared. Known as one of the game’s first true enforcers, he combined physicality with surprising offensive skill, helping both the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens to multiple Stanley Cup victories. His on-ice aggression was legendary, and yet he was a three-time Cup champion and eventual Hockey Hall of Famer, proving that even the most bruising players could leave a lasting mark.

This PSA 5 example is a strong mid-grade survivor, especially for a set now well over a century old. It boasts sharp registration, clean edges, and appealing surface gloss, with minimal wear relative to the issue’s typically fragile cardstock. The C55 series features a classic vertical layout with ornate borders and vibrant lithography—a format that defined Canadian hockey cards for years to follow.